Expect lots of upgrades in 2012, if there’s cash to do them
The last couple of years have undoubtedly been a struggle financially for Las Vegas companies and families. Our city has been hit hardest by the Great Recession and we can only hope the economy turns around this year.
Local government agencies have been hurt too, patching up streets that are in need of a full repaving job and putting off major projects. With all the cones and detours around town, it might be hard to believe, but the budgets for the Nevada Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Commission, which provides funding for city and county work, have shrunk significantly.
However, it is not surprising that the list of construction projects we should expect to see this year is based on if and when money becomes available. Regardless, this is what we are told to expect.
CACTUS CROSSING
Residents in the southeast are desperate for direct access to Interstate 15 and a closer route to the west side of the city. Only three interchanges exist within a six-mile stretch: St. Rose Parkway, Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road. Those who live south of Silverado Ranch must travel a few miles on Las Vegas Boulevard to reach the freeway.
The Cactus Avenue-Interstate 15 interchange is coming to save the day, according to the Department of Transportation.
This $57 million interchange project also includes improvements to Cactus Avenue between Las Vegas Boulevard and Polaris Avenue. In the end, which is expected to be 2014, motorists will enjoy a new six-lane east-west arterial.
State officials said construction is scheduled to begin in mid to late of this year.
HIGHWAY HEADACHES
Our friends in the northwest should appreciate this one. By this summer, U.S. Highway 95 between Washington Avenue and Ann Road should be a smooth eight-lane freeway with improved interchanges at Ann and Rancho roads. Traffic should also flow more efficiently at Durango Drive and Cheyenne Avenue, where loop ramps are being added to the interchanges.
Work also includes a high-occupancy vehicle flyover from U.S. 95 north to westbound Summerlin Parkway.
UNIVERSITY TRANSIT
The Regional Transportation Commission is working with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to build a transit center on campus this year. The new facility would include six bays for both local and express bus routes that stop at the university. It would also accommodate on-campus shuttles planned for the future.
The transit center will include bicycle racks, ticket vending machines and a covered outdoor seating area.
SAHARA EXPRESS
The Sahara express line with designated bus lanes between Hualapai Way and Boulder Highway offered us great pains throughout much of 2011, or so it seemed. The new Sahara Express is scheduled to begin service in May. The line will branch out into neighborhoods north and south of Sahara Avenue. The line ends up at the Bonneville Transit Center, where passengers can hook up with express routes to Henderson or the Strip.
The RTC is aiming for a comfortable trip. Elevated platforms, ticket vending machines and solar-powered shelters are being installed at each stop. The express route will be more efficient thanks to traffic signal controlling devices.
F STREET UNDERPASS RETURNS
Ah, F Street. You will remember that three years ago, the state transportation department closed F Street during the widening of Interstate 15 between the Spaghetti Bowl and Craig Road. Folks in West Las Vegas were outraged because they believed the closure created a barrier between their historically black community and downtown Las Vegas. Activists hired an attorney, filed a lawsuit and won.
The $21 million project, which will also include landscaping and aesthetic sculptures, is in the design phase but work is expected to begin late this year.
BIG BICYCLE YEAR
The Regional Transportation Commission is working closely with Clark County and the cities of North Las Vegas, Henderson and Las Vegas as well as the Southern Nevada Health District to bridge the gaps in bike trails and lanes. Much of the focus will be in downtown areas, where sidewalks will also be widened and roads narrowed to slow traffic and provide a safer bike ride.
In all, the commission will create 200 miles of new bike lanes. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
EAST-WEST ARTERIALS
Clark County will continue its effort to provide more options when traveling between the west and east sides of Las Vegas. It is making improvements to Sunset Road, making the link between Las Vegas and Valley View boulevards a smoother ride. Improvements are also scheduled for Harmon Avenue between Decatur Boulevard and Wynn Road.
BOULDER CITY BYPASS
We probably won't actually see heavy equipment in action until 2013, but we will throw it in here because it's a huge deal for Boulder City residents and the project is scheduled to go to bid this year.
The proposed bypass has generated plenty of controversy in Boulder City for the past decade. The opening of the Hoover Dam bypass bridge and the congestion caused by the inefficient capacity of U.S. Highway 93 stirred up the discussions again. This time, lawmakers were serious.
During its last session, state legislators agreed to lift a ban on toll roads to make way for the Boulder City bypass. The first phase of the bypass will be a three-mile stretch between U.S. Highway 95 in Henderson that loops around Railroad Pass and reconnects with the highway.
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Maneuvering around all these cones won't likely make for a peaceful new year, but the end result should be better roads and a safer commute. Happy New Year!
If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an email to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com Include your phone number.
■ For the next two weeks, expect intermittent lane closures in the southbound lanes of the airport connector tunnel as crews remove and install ceiling-mounted safety lighting. Work hours are from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays.
■ Through January, one lane will be closed approaching the northbound airport connector tunnel from eastbound Interstate 215 or George Crockett Road while directional signs are installed. Work hours are from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays.
■ Through January, expect round-the-clock lane restrictions on Buffalo Drive between Charleston and Lake Mead boulevards as sidewalk ramps are installed and repairs are made to concrete and asphalt. Buffalo is limited to one lane in each direction.
■ Through February, expect delays on Tropicana Avenue at Valley View Boulevard because of a sewer project. Left turns from Tropicana at the intersections and some businesses will be restricted intermittently. Lane restrictions also will be in place on Valley View at Tropicana.
■ The ramp from Las Vegas Boulevard to Interstate 15 north remains closed.
■ Expect delays on Valley View Boulevard south between U.S. Highway 95 and Desert Inn Road for a widening project.
GASOLINE PRICES
The average price of gasoline in the Las Vegas Valley on Friday was $3.33 per gallon; the current state average is $3.35; the national average is $3.26. Find the Las Vegas Valley's best deals at gasbuddy.com.
Las Vegas Review-Journal
