Interstate 15 work halfway done

Harriet W. asks: I have a few questions about the work on I-15 for the express lanes: When will it be finished? How will this work for drivers wanting to get in and out of the express lanes? Will trucks be allowed in these lanes? This seems to be a never ending project as I commute on this stretch of road every day.

The express lane project, which stretches nearly six miles on I-15 from Sahara Avenue south to Interstate 215, might seem as if it will never be completed, but it’s actually more than halfway done.

And on time, according to Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman Bob McKenzie.

The $21.5 million project, being funded by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, is expected to be finished in September.

Once completed the interstate will be widened to 10 lanes, from eight. The two left lanes in each direction will become express lanes.

The plan is to allow motorists to enter those lanes at Sahara heading south, or near Russell Road heading north.

Barriers known as “candlesticks” will separate the express lanes from the outside lanes and commuters will have to remain in the express lanes until the lanes end.

State transportation officials believe express lanes will help reduce congestion in the resort corridor of I-15 because most of the 250,000 drivers that traverse I-15 do not use the three exits between Russell and Sahara anyway.

The express lanes will allow drivers who do not need to stop in the resort corridor to be able to flow past the busiest interchanges of I-15 without dealing with weaving drivers.

There will be no restrictions as to who can drive in the express lanes, so big rigs will be allowed to use the lanes along with automobiles.

Bill in Henderson asks: What’s this new construction on St. Rose Parkway? And when will it end?

This is another widening project being done by the state transportation department. The $6 million project, which began in March, will see St. Rose Parkway widened to eight lanes in Henderson.

The widening will take place on St. Rose, from Gillespie Street to the intersection with Seven Hills Drive/Spencer Avenue and from Coronado Center to Interstate 215.

The construction is set to be done in August.

Motorists can expect construction to take place between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

A reader asks: I am traveling from Henderson to Utah over the weekend, and I’m a little confused about how I can go from U.S. 95 to I-15 north. From what I can gather I have to get off the freeway, and drive around before getting back on the interstate. What roads do I need to take?

Stop the presses!

I actually had a completely different answer to this question until I received an e-mail at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

That e-mail from the contractors of the $240 million I-15 north widening project announced, quite fortuitously I might add, that the onramp from U.S. 95 north to I-15 north will open at 5 a.m. today.

The alignment of the onramp is considered temporary. In a few months the ramp will be closed again and then a new, final alignment will be constructed.

So this weekend, don’t worry about getting off U.S. 95. Just follow the exit to I-15 north and enjoy your time out of the Silver State.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Francis McCabe at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@review journal.com. Please include your phone number.