Graves Lane opening set for Fiday, official says

The Graves Lane extension will be finished Friday.

"There's no reason it shouldn't be open Friday," Project Manager Brian Roll said. "Come hell or high water, it will happen."

Despite the positive attitude of Roll and city officials, most are waiting to see real traffic flow from the extension onto Highway 50 East before they trust the latest opening date.

"I've heard this since Oct. 31," said SlotWorld General Manager Jeff Smeath. "When they pull down the cones, that's when I'll believe it's done."

SlotWorld sits on the corner of Highway 50 East and Graves Lane, and Smeath said the casino has been waiting for the road to open in hopes it will increase traffic and generate new business. The casino is running television ads using the extension as a marketing tool.

Mark Cain, owner of the Sonic Drive In on the corner of College Parkway and Goni Road, said he checks on the extension's progress almost daily, waiting for it to open.

"Most people don't know where we are, and (the extension) is supposed to double the traffic in front of our store," Cain said. "I call this the local's bypass. We've held off on a lot of advertising until that road is open. It was supposed to be open Nevada Day, so we'll see (if it opens Friday)."

A ribbon cutting is planned at the Graves Lane/Airport Road intersection Friday at 11 a.m. officially opening the 7,770-foot road. Carson City Regional Transportation Commission Chairman Jon Plank will be joined at the ribbon cutting by Mayor Ray Masayko, supervisors, and present and past transportation commission members.

"The mayor and I had an informal bet about the road getting done this year," Plank said. "(He) didn't think it would get done. I knew we'd have it done by Christmas."

The extension, which will connect College Parkway to Highway 50 East, was scheduled for completion on Nevada Day. The date was moved to mid-November and then Dec. 3. Although weather through November was warm enough for workers to finish paving the road, delays have plagued the project, including landscaping, utility replacements and a change in the striping plan.

Workers are finishing the landscaping and putting a "blast wall" near the airport which will protect the road and travelers from dust thrown up by airplanes.

"Getting a project this large completed takes time," said Carson's Senior Engineer Harvey Brotzman. "A lot of people have been looking forward to this opening. Hopefully we can get all the i's dotted and t's crossed to get it open Friday."