Summer construction on Kingsbury Grade up in the air

By Kathryn Reed

Nevada Department of Transportation officials expected Peek Construction to resume work on Kingsbury Grade on May 1.

The Las Vegas-based company which, according to its website, has an office on the same road it’s supposed to be finishing work on did not return a phone call.

Work on this main artery between Stateline and the Carson Valley started in 2009 with the original bid being $6.8 million. NDOT extended the contract by 87 days, which increased the bill by another $2.5 million.

Left on the contract is 20 days worth of work.

“If they don’t do it, they will be in default,” according to Scott MacGruder with NDOT. “They were supposed to start May 1.”

The state and contractor are trying to work things out in court regarding the cost overruns, but MacGruder said it was his understanding the work was still to be finished.

MacGruder said his agency, if the contractor doesn’t return to the job, would assess whether it’s satisfied the erosion issues have been taken care of. If not, plan B would need to be found.

The water quality project has been painfully slow for commuters caught in the traffic jam for the past three summers.

But MacGruder also told Lake Tahoe News that the road needs resurfacing – which would not start this year. When it does, it will mean further delays for motorists.