Cactus Avenue overpass opens in Las Vegas

The Cactus Avenue Bridge just east of Rainbow Boulevard is officially opened on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

County Commissioner Susan Brager, center, cuts the ribbon as James Healey, State Assemblyman, third left, and former senator Justin Jones, second right, look on during the opening of a new bridge that carries Cactus Avenue Bridge over railroad trucks in the southwest Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

County Commissioner Susan Brager, center, James Healey, State Assemblyman, third left, and former senator Justin Jones, second right, celebrate as they cut the ribbon during the opening of a new bridge that carries Cactus Avenue Bridge over railroad trucks in the southwest Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A consruction worker is seen prior to the opening of a new bridge that carries Cactus Avenue Bridge over railroad trucks in the southwest Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

County Commissioner Susan Brager speaks during the opening ceremony of a new bridge that carries Cactus Avenue Bridge over railroad trucks in the southwest Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cars are seen on a new bridge that carries Cactus Avenue Bridge over railroad trucks in the southwest Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Clark County has opened an overpass spanning the Union Pacific railroad tracks at West Cactus Avenue, giving residents of Mountain’s Edge easier access to two schools and Interstate 15.

Clark County Commissioner Susan Brager presided over a ceremony Wednesday at the construction site about three miles west of I-15 near Cactus and Rainbow Boulevard.

With the bridge opening, southwest Las Vegas residents have more direct access to Tarkanian Middle School and Desert Oasis High School.

Previously, the closest railroad crossing was on Blue Diamond Road.

The state opened a highway interchange at Cactus and I-15 in late August, two months ahead of schedule, improving traffic flow to the Southern Highlands area.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Find him on Twitter: @RickVelotta.