Right-of-way settlement advances Project Neon

Two major Southern Nevada highway projects took steps forward in separate actions Monday by the Transportation Department board of directors.

Another right-of-way settlement for Project Neon was approved for just more than a half acre of undeveloped land at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Alta Drive. The board unanimously approved a $716,600 settlement agreement for the 0.68-acre parcel owned by Carrie L. Jenkins.

The board also postponed action on a condemnation resolution for a 2,600-square-foot sliver of land between Interstate 15 and Martin Luther King owned by Clear Channel Outdoor for a billboard. Transportation Department staff asked for a postponement to seek a settlement prior to the board’s December meeting.

The state is on track to begin work on Project Neon, an overhaul of the Spaghetti Bowl interchange of I-15 and U.S. Highway 95 involving construction of a high-occupancy-vehicle flyover ramp and a series of braided ramps and redesigned exits, beginning in 2016.

About $12 million in right-of-way payments already have been made for property along the project’s periphery, through acquisition, settlement or condemnation.

Two more big settlements are scheduled for board approval in the months ahead, a $1.5 million settlement with the Smith Family Trust and a $50,000 settlement with retailer Wireless Toyz.

The board also signed off on a $600,000 contract extension for legal support services on the project with Las Vegas attorney Laura FitzSimmons.

The financing of the project is planned before the Interim Finance Committee on Nov. 22 and the state will receive recommendations on three to five design-build teams by the end of December.

The project is expected to begin with design work next year with construction beginning a year later.

Southern Nevada’s other big freeway project — the Interstate 11 Boulder City bypass — also is a step closer to starting.

The Transportation Department is handling one phase of the project and the Clark County Regional Transportation Commission the other. The Transportation Commission phase is expected to be awarded at its Dec. 11 meeting while the contract for the Transportation Department’s phase will be awarded at the board’s January meeting.

One of the last pieces of the Boulder City bypass project was the board signing off on a settlement agreement with the City of Los Angeles of $83,500 for a utility easement.

Other matters approved by the board affecting Southern Nevada roads:

— Fast-Trac Electric was awarded a $590,432 contract to upgrade 13 traffic signals to include a flashing-yellow cycle. Upgrades are planned on signals at the intersections of West Craig Road at Simmons, Commerce, Fifth streets, Valley Drive, Allen Lane and Arcata Way; Simmons Street and Walnut Road; Commerce Street and Carey Avenue; Lake Mead Boulevard at Bruce, McDaniel and Belmont streets; and Cheyenne Avenue and Berg Street. Construction is expected to be completed by spring.

— A $22.1 million contract was approved to repave 18.3 miles of U.S. Highway 95 from just north of Indian Springs to Mercury. Portions of the highway were last paved 20 years ago. Work will include an asphalt overlay, guardrails, tortoise fencing and light landscaping. Work begins January and is expected to be completed by summer.

— A public opening of F Street beneath I-15 has been scheduled tentatively for Dec. 11. The $13.6 million project reconnects a West Las Vegas neighborhood with downtown Las Vegas with a new underpass and repaving project.

Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.