Airport tunnel traffic narrows to one lane Monday night

Road construction in the connector tunnel at McCarran International Airport is expected to cause traffic congestion next week.

The tunnel, which allows northbound and southbound traffic to travel under runways, will be reduced to just one lane in each direction starting Monday night.

By Thursday, two lanes will be open in each direction.

The closure is a part of the next phase in the $2.4 billion airport expansion project that will link the tunnel's lanes to reconfigurated roadways and to a new terminal. Terminal 3, which will add 14 gates, is slated to open in mid-2012.

Airport officials are advising local motorists to seek alternative north-south routes during that time, including Interstate 15, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Frank Sinatra Drive or Eastern Avenue to get around the closure and keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible, said Chris Jones, airport spokesman.

"It's not as convenient, but it will lessen the headache," Jones said. "People coming to the airport, mostly tourists, have no other choice but to use that road."