Project Neon will widen Interstate 15 between the Spaghetti Bowl and Sahara Avenue and will add a new ramp to connect the U.S. 95 HOV lanes with the I-15 express lanes.
Monday, July 11, 2011 | 3:03 p.m.
The state Transportation Board has approved $60 million for preliminary work on improvements to Interstate 15 between Spring Mountain Road and the Spaghetti Bowl, including $555,599 to reopen F Street in downtown Las Vegas.
The added money for Project Neon will be used for preliminary engineering and to purchase right-of-way for the project estimated to cost between $1.3 billion and $1.8 billion. In addition to the improvements to I-15, the project calls for better access to downtown Las Vegas and improvements at the Sahara Avenue and Charleston Boulevard interchanges.
The reopening of F Street follows controversy over the street's closure, with some accusing the city of wanting to cut off the black neighborhood of West Las Vegas from the Symphony Park development. The money to reopen the street was approved during a special session of the Legislature in 2010.
Project Neon would be one of the biggest road projects in Nevada history, improving a route traveled by more than 257,800 cars daily. Last year, the Federal Highway Administration gave approval to environmental studies, allowing the Nevada Department of Transportation to begin the final design and construction. Officials expect to break ground next year.
In other business, the board got a briefing from Tracy Larkin-Thomason, NDOT's assistant director of planning, on the proposed Interstate 11 from Arizona to Las Vegas and north through the state to Canada. She said a study will be done on the best route through Nevada. It could involve a new alignment or upgrading U.S. 95 or 93. A request for proposals will be issued soon for a contractor to do the study.
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