Work on beltway interchange to cause detours in north valley

By Kyle B. Hansen

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

Residents of the northern part of the valley will soon have better access to the Las Vegas Beltway but will have to endure six months of detours first.

Traffic on the westbound portion of the beltway will be detoured at North 5th Street between Losee Road and Aliante Parkway beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday, Clark County officials said.

Crews are working on a new interchange for North 5th Street as the county continues converting the beltway into a true freeway around the valley. Work on the interchange is expected to conclude this fall.

During the detour, westbound traffic on the beltway will be directed onto the new ramps at North 5th Street, where motorists will be able to continue back onto the main part of the beltway.

Traffic will not be able to access the street from the westbound beltway during the detour period until work on a new bridge is completed.

Eastbound traffic on the beltway will continue its current detour in the same area, and traffic from the east will continue to have access to North 5th Street south of the beltway.

Meadow Valley Contractors is the contractor for this $11.8 million project.