LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — With Super Bowl 58 in the rear view mirror for Las Vegas, NDOT is ready to move on with the Dropicana project.
Ahead of the game, crews had reached a stopping point on the Dropicana project in an attempt to ease traffic and tensions along the I-15 corridor.
Now, for part two of the project:
Construction will kick off to remove the temporary Super Bowl configuration on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) at 9 p.m. This work will be ongoing until February 20 at 5 a.m.
The most significant impact with be the complete closure of I-15 in both directions between Russell Road and Flamingo Road from Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. - February 19 at 5 a.m to allow crews to demolish the bridge over I-15.
Included in the above closure will be the following:
- Tropicana Avenue east and westbound lane closures from New York New York to Dean Martin Drive.
- Flamingo Road on-ramp to I-15 South
- I-15 Harmon ramps
- I-15 south and northbound ramps to Tropicana east and west
- I-15 northbound to Arena Drive
- Tropicana on-ramp to I-15 South and I-15 North
- Russell Road on-ramp to I-15 North
- I-215 east and westbound ramps to I-15 North
- Las Vegas Blvd. ramp to I-15 North
You will still be able to access New York New York and Excalibur access to and from Tropicana Avenue.
Channel 13 News is digging into this issue impacting drivers.
“I hope it’s going to be fixed soon," said truck driver of more than 20 years Sam Akras.
Akras says he has had to adjust his route because of the construction on Tropicana Avenue.
“I have to go like 10 miles more in each direction," said Akras.
That change, adding time to his route.
“I have to work out like 30 minutes in advance so that I can’t be late, because if I’m late then it’s really going to make a problem for me," said Akras.
The construction is not expected to let up anytime soon, but rather intensify. Starting February 14 at 9 p.m. - February 20 at 5 a.m. Tropicana Avenue will be closed in both directions from New York-New York to Dean Martin Drive.
Freeway closures will impact the area February 16 at 9 p.m. - February 19 at 5 a.m.
“That includes the full closure of I-15 in both directions between Russel to the South and Flamingo to the north," said Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) Public Information Officer Justin Hopkins.
NDOT says it's all part of the Dropicana 2.0 project where crews will demolish the south side of the bridge. Starting February 20, all traffic will be on the north side of the bridge.
“The south half of the bridge, that phase 3, we anticipate that to take us into late Summer of this year," said Hopkins.
This isn't the last phase of the project though. For all details on the construction and when it may impact your drive, click here.
Construction is expected to last at least another year. NDOT predicts the full project will be complete by mid-2025.
