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Construction sirens lead to complaints from neighbors
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Construction sirens near a stretch of Interstate 215 are meant to protect a highway overpass, but neighbors say the noise is keeping them up at night.
"It's real frustrating for the whole neighborhood because everybody's called," said neighbor Judy Shoup, who can see one siren from her backyard.
Shoup turned to Action News for answers. Turns out, the two sirens along Warm Springs Road warn vehicles taller than 13-feet, nine-inches, not to drive under the 215 overpass. The clearance is reduced while crews widen the highway. But for the last six weeks, Shoup said the warning siren blares at all hours of the day and night.
"It's a really loud alarm because they want it loud enough so that people, the truckers especially, can hear it if they have their radios on," said Shoup.
Shoup said she called the county commission, public works department and construction manager to complain about the noise.
"It's a tough situation but we can't let trucks crash into the bridge," said county commissioner Steve Sisolak.
The county has tried other measures to protect the overpass, including warning lights and warning signs. Sisolak said even the siren has not stopped tall vehicles from smashing into a sacrificial beam, the last barrier before the overpass; the commissioner said he knows of at least seven incidents.
Action News asked Sisolak about turning down the siren, but the commissioner said drivers may not be able to hear the noise.
"I don't know what the answer is," Sisolak said. "I feel bad for the neighbors because nobody wants to be woken from a sound sleep in the middle of the night when this happens."
Shoup has her own suggestion.
"Shut it off. They've got plenty of warning signs," Shoup said.
For now, Sisolak said the warning sirens will stay in place until construction wraps up in about a year. The commissioner said the county is willing to consider other options, including a strobe light to keep drivers from hitting the overpass.







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