The old Mount Rose truck ramp. Photo/Provided

Mount Rose truck ramp today. Photo/Provided

Nevada spent $4.6 million to build what transportation officials say is now a safe truck ramp on Mount Rose Highway.

The truck ramp on the westbound side of the highway in Incline Village has been converted from a rock surface to asphalt. A series of six pre-tensioned drag nets were installed to catch the front grill of runaway vehicles and help safely absorb the impact to slow, then ultimately stop, the vehicle.

Before trucks were not always able to stop and had landed in a house.

The asphalt will be heated to ensure that snow or ice does not hamper use of the nets during winter months. Two roadside flashing signs and one large overhead digital message sign have also been installed to alert drivers when a vehicle is in the truck ramp.

The original ramp was built in the late 1970s.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report