Improving Nevada’s Roadways
The future of transportation in Nevada faces many challenges in the coming years. Travel demand is growing even faster than the state’s unprecedented growth in population and highway revenue sources have not kept up with inflation. In fact, the rate of inflation in the highway construction industry has risen nearly 44 percent in the past three years, greatly exceeding general inflation. The cost of fuel to operate vehicles and equipment has also increased sharply. These factors were some of the reasons why transportation was such a key topic of discussion during the 2007 legislature.
NDOT plans to use the money to help reduce congestion and increase safety by widening the Interstate-15 corridor through the heart of Las Vegas. The funds will help widen a portion of U.S. 95 in Las Vegas and make improvements to Interstate 80 through Reno and Sparks. Additional legislation appropriated about $170 million from the state general finance to help fund I-15 improvements.
Keeping traffic moving and safe on both I-15 and I-80 is vital to our state’s economy. These two corridors move not only goods and services to and from California but are the lifeline for the state’s tourism industry.
Here are the major improvement projects on which NDOT expects to begin construction within the next two years:
I-15 Spaghetti Bowl to Craig Road
This is Nevada’s first design/build contract. Design/build is an innovative contracting method that will save time from the traditional design-bid-build process. This project will widen I-15 from the Spaghetti Bowl to Craig Road from six to 10 lanes. It will also repave the existing concrete section, as well as modify the existing interchanges to facilitate traffic movements. Construction is estimated to start in the fall of 2007 with a project duration of two to three years.
I-15 Sahara Avenue to Tropicana Boulevard
This project will provide two additional lanes in each direction in the median that will act as “express lanes” or through lanes. Vehicles will enter at either end and travel through the Las Vegas corridor, separate from the merging traffic. Construction is estimated to start in the summer of 2008 with completion in two years.
U.S. 95 Washington Avenue to Craig Road
This project will widen U.S. 95 from six to eight lanes with auxiliary lanes from Washington to Craig. This project will facilitate the implementation of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Improvements at the Ann Road interchange also will be implemented. Construction is estimated to start in the spring of 2009 with a construction period of two to three years.
I-15 Tropicana Boulevard to Blue Diamond Highway (SR 160)
This project will widen I-15 from six to eight lanes between Tropicana and Blue Diamond. Construction is estimated to start in summer of 2009 with a project duration of two years.
Clark County Pavement Preservation
This will consist of multiple projects as prioritized through NDOT’s pavement management system based on the type of highway and traffic volumes. Construction will be ongoing.
Overall, while the current condition of our existing highway system is good, the next several years will be critical ones here at NDOT as we aim to bring Nevada’s transportation system into the next decade.