Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Contract approved for work on Boulder bypass project

Sen. Joe Hardy has worked on getting a bypass roadway around Boulder City since 2003, and his goal is now being realized.

Work on the project is soon to begin.

The state Transportation Board awarded an $82.9 million contract Monday to Fisher Sand and Gravel Co. for the first phase of the project.

And the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada will be asked Thursday to award a $235 million contact to Las Vegas Construction for the 12.5 miles of the project.

Hardy, R-Boulder City, said, “This is a vision come true” and it is the beginning of the Interstate 11 project linking Las Vegas and Phoenix. This job will be an economic boost not only for Boulder City but for the whole state of Nevada, he said.

The Legislature in 2011 passed a bill authorizing the bypass, and the 2013 Legislature allowed the increase of the gasoline tax that will finance it and other projects, Hardy said.

The North Dakota-based Fisher, which has offices in Las Vegas, was the lowest of four bidders for the state’s 2.5 mile portion of the freeway from Silver Line Road to Foothill Road. State construction is expected to begin in April and is expected to be completed in April 2018.

The estimate of the state was $88.4 million for the job. The contractor will use concrete pavement rather than asphalt. Officials said the concrete is costlier — about $3 million more — but has a longer life before repairs have to be made.

An estimated 40,000 trucks use this segment.

Tina Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, said the $235 million is below the engineer’s estimate of $273 million. And it is below the $288 million of the second-lowest bidder.

The section financed by the RTC will use asphalt. But state transportation officials said there would be no problem melding the jobs together.

“This is a great week,” said Hardy.

This freeway will divert traffic from downtown Boulder City and is expected to improve safety.

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