Living in a fool’s paradise where traffic never snarls
This week readers want to know why there’s no more congestion on Las Vegas Boulevard, how the construction on Interstate 15 was finished, and why every traffic signal suddenly turns green as their vehicles approach.
Happy April Fool’s Day.
It still takes drivers 47 minutes to go from Treasure Island to Bellagio on Las Vegas Boulevard. I-15 is still undergoing massive amounts of construction, and you’ll probably still get stuck at every traffic signal on Rainbow Boulevard.
Readers actually want to know whether the rumors of a Tenaya Way overpass at Summerlin Parkway are true and what’s the latest on the Far Hills Avenue interchange with the Las Vegas Beltway?
Donn T. asks: I was driving west on Summerlin Parkway for the first time in a long time. I was amazed to see construction on what looks like a Tenaya Way overpass. Is this dream finally coming true? It will be a much easier commute for me instead of using Buffalo Drive or Rainbow Boulevard. Do you know when it will be open for traffic?
Your eyes do not deceive you. Construction on the Tenaya Way overpass began in January. The nearly $8 million project is expected to be finished in October.
The overpass will also improve Tenaya Way, between Washington Avenue and Westcliff Drive.
The plans also call for the construction of a 1,300-foot pathway on the north side of Summerlin Parkway to connect Bill Briare Family Park to the Kellogg-Zaher Sports Complex.
Most work takes place during the day on weekdays, so motorists can expect some lane restrictions, road closures and other traffic delays and disruptions in the area.
Rick McGough asks: So we got the Far Hills overpass at the Beltway open. Great. Now I have two questions. Why did they cease work on the remaining portion and when will they synchronize the traffic signals? The signals don’t make any sense and you have to wait intermittently at the various lights for extended periods of time. I was happy that it opened, but given the light timing issue, I have returned to going the long way around on Summerlin Parkway.
Rick you’re not the only one to complain about the traffic signals at the Far Hills overpass. I’ve fielded a number of e-mails and phone calls regarding the problem.
I checked with Bobby Shelton, spokesman for Clark County Public Works, and he said the traffic signals will be officially timed when the project is done.
Shelton added that the wait should be no longer than 120 seconds. (While that is only two minutes, it can feel like an eternity waiting at a traffic signal).
But Shelton’s thoughts on the traffic signal leads to his response to the other part of your question: Why is no work being done at Far Hills?
The Far Hills project is large in scope and includes the work being done at the interchange at the Beltway and the Summerlin Parkway. It’s not expected to be finished until the end of March 2010.
As far as why it appears work has stopped on one section of the project, Shelton explained that contractors also have to work on other areas. “The interchange (at Far Hills) is just one feature of the improvements for the build-out of the Beltway within this area,” Shelton said.
The $27 million project extends on the Beltway from Charleston Boulevard to Summerlin Parkway.
“We reopened Far Hills Avenue to help ease some of the congestion for the area,” Shelton said. “I believe the situation would have been viewed as worse had we left Far Hills closed until the end of March next year.”
If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Francis McCabe at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Please include your phone number.
Northbound Donovan Way, from the Donovan Connector to north of the Craig Road Bridge, will be closed from 6 a.m. today through 5 a.m. April 10 for reconstruction of Donovan Way, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. Motorists should use Lamb Boulevard to access north Donovan Way. The work being done is part of the finishing touches on the $34 million Craig Road overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.• • •
Construction has begun on a $6-million project to widen St. Rose Parkway to eight lanes in Henderson, the Transportation Department announced. St. Rose will be widened from Gillespie Street to Seven Hills Drive/Spencer Avenue and from Coronado Center to Interstate 215. The project is expected to be finished in August. Motorists should watch for traffic controls.
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Motorists can expect delays and lane restrictions through September on Tropicana Avenue, from Paradise Road to Interstate 15, as new underground utility lines are installed as part of the construction of Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport, the Clark County Department of Aviation announced. At least two lanes will remain open in each direction throughout the project. Drivers are encouraged to avoid Tropicana, between McCarran and Las Vegas Boulevard.
