I-11/US 93 - Boulder City Bypass

[roadfro]

When the freeway conversion through Boulder City is finished, are the I-515 exit numbers going to be changed from US 95 mileposts to US 93? Seems like that would be best, as 93 will be the through route, and it will be I-11 in the future.

Since both US 93 & 95 share the alignment with I-515 -- and the specific exit numbers linked to the 95 mileage have been around for about 30 years -- it's likely that only any section bearing the I-11 designation will utilize numbers based on I-11/US 93 mileage.  If down the line I-515 is redesignated as I-11, expect the change to come at that point.  That way, businesses and other properties (residential, etc.) have additional time to retain and eventually update their information re which exit accesses their location.   

+1

It should be noted that the final alignment of I-11 has not yet been decided. While the I-515/US 95 alignment seems like the most likely contender, the 215 south/west alignment is another option under consideration (as well as the less likely new eastern/north 215 alignment being studied). Thus, it is too early to tell regarding exit numbering.

I-515 currently uses the US 95 mileposting instead of US 93's (and did even prior to I-515 being signed circa 1994-95) because US 95 is the through route at the I-15 Spaghetti Bowl interchange.

[Sub-Urbanite]

Phase 1 of I-11 was scheduled to open in July (but appears to not be open yet).

I'm curious if anyone's seen whether this first phase will include actual I-11 shields, or if NDOT is holding off on that until after Phase 2 is open... or until Arizona's section is somewhat completed... or some other date to be determined.

Anyone seen anything?

[silverback1065]

Theyre signing this already? From where to where? I'd like to get a hold of one of those shields one day, 11 is my favorite number!

[oscar]

Phase 1 of I-11 was scheduled to open in July (but appears to not be open yet).

How likely will it be open in the next two weeks? I'll be in the general area, and would like to snag that along with the just opened I-580 extension in Carson City. But I had thought the planned completion date was in December.

[roadfro]

Phase 1 of I-11 was scheduled to open in July (but appears to not be open yet).

You're a bit mistaken, as only a small portion of phase 1 was going to open at the end of July. Southbound US 93 was to be shifted to the new alignment from current end of I-515, and use the new flyover to connect to existing southbound US 93 (future US 93 Business) near the existing US 95 interchange. See: https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/news-columns/road-warrior/2-mile-stretch-of-southbound-i-11-to-open-by-the-end-of-july/

I'm curious if anyone's seen whether this first phase will include actual I-11 shields, or if NDOT is holding off on that until after Phase 2 is open... or until Arizona's section is somewhat completed... or some other date to be determined.

Anyone seen anything?

As mentioned previously, NDOT has AASHTO approval to sign I-11 for a short distance, but I have no idea whether they plan to sign it at this time. My guess is that they're not going to for now until at least the entire project is done, if not waiting until a greater alignment decision is made...

[US 89]

For what it's worth, the Hoover Dam bridge is technically the first completed portion of I-11. (unless you count pre-existing freeways in Las Vegas, but it's the first new construction)

[Kniwt]

Some of the signing has started. This is southbound on current 515/93/95, but note the exit numbers (15A and 15B). Also, it looks like the 93 mainline will be moved over to the new freeway. (Apologies for the photo quality; I was standing way over on the bike/ped path.)

[Sub-Urbanite]

Does that say "Boulder City Blvd"? Surprising that "Nevada Highway" wasn't used.

Also, I kind of expected the signage on that to say "Boulder City, Hoover Dam," without a street name, to encourage pass-through tourist traffic in B.C. Shrug.

Thanks Kniwt! Keep 'em coming.

[Alex]

Also, it looks like the 93 mainline will be moved over to the new freeway.

Per the AASHTO meeting on May 23 of this year, Nevada requested both to relocate U.S. 93 onto I-11, and established U.S. 93 Business along the former route. Both requests were approved.

[silverback1065]

is i-215 going to be replacing county route 215 any time soon?

[Sub-Urbanite]

What I remember from many, many years ago — so long ago that it may not even be true anymore, even if my memory is right: NDOT felt that it couldn't put the Interstate shield on 215 except between segments that connect to already-signed Interstates. So the 15-515 segment qualified, but the west-of-15 segments wouldn't happen until either A) 215 is a full freeway all the way back around to I-15 at the Speedway, or, B) US 95 is signed as I-11 through northwest Las Vegas, and they are connected by a full interchange.

[roadfro]

Does that say "Boulder City Blvd"? Surprising that "Nevada Highway" wasn't used.

Also, I kind of expected the signage on that to say "Boulder City, Hoover Dam," without a street name, to encourage pass-through tourist traffic in B.C. Shrug.

My guess is that a post-mounted "Boulder City, Lake Mead / Exit 15A" supplemental sign will be used for this purpose. No need to include Hoover Dam there (since that is better accessed via existing Exit 2), but the most direct path to Lake Mead from this direction will still be to go through town.

Google Street View suggests that Boulder City isn't too attached to the "Nevada Highway" name on existing US 93 northbound from the main downtown intersection. Backlit street name signs on traffic signals read "US 93", 1 newer street name sign at a cross street reads "US 93", about 2 street name signs at minor cross streets have older "Nevada Hwy" blades, and an additional 2-3 cross streets are missing the 93/Nevada Hwy blade altogether. Pretty much all of the street name signs at cross streets southbound from downtown all read "US 93"–although that makes sense with Nevada Way being a separate roadway through their historic downtown. My guess is that NDOT recommended the city to put a street name on old US 93, and the the city chose "Boulder City Blvd" so they could have the city's name on the freeway signs for the Business Route–or, since the business route is still currently owned/maintained as a state highway, NDOT just chose this name.


I'm actually more surprised that the casino access road is actually named "Railroad Pass Casino Rd". I'd have thought they'd just call it "Railroad Pass Road" so that the road could be named for a semi-geographic feature and not a business...

[roadfro]

For what it's worth, the Hoover Dam bridge is technically the first completed portion of I-11. (unless you count pre-existing freeways in Las Vegas, but it's the first new construction)

Note, however, that the Boulder City Bypass is the first project started as an I-11 project (even though the concept predated I-11 by about a decade). If I recall correctly, the Hoover Dam Bypass was already in construction, if not finished, when I-11 became official.

is i-215 going to be replacing county route 215 any time soon?

What I remember from many, many years ago — so long ago that it may not even be true anymore, even if my memory is right: NDOT felt that it couldn't put the Interstate shield on 215 except between segments that connect to already-signed Interstates. So the 15-515 segment qualified, but the west-of-15 segments wouldn't happen until either A) 215 is a full freeway all the way back around to I-15 at the Speedway, or, B) US 95 is signed as I-11 through northwest Las Vegas, and they are connected by a full interchange.

That's completely off topic... The Las Vegas Beltway was only signed as I-215 between I-15 and I-515, since the remaining portions were initially not built to Interstate standards (immediately west of I-15 was initially a frontage road network all the way to Russell Road). A construction projects currently underway will extend the freeway build out around the northwest corner by early next year, resulting in ~37 miles of continuous freeway (to just short of the US 95 interchange). However, I don't believe there are plans to sign CC 215 as I-215 until the entire route is built to Interstate standards.

[sparker]

For what it's worth, the Hoover Dam bridge is technically the first completed portion of I-11. (unless you count pre-existing freeways in Las Vegas, but it's the first new construction)

Note, however, that the Boulder City Bypass is the first project started as an I-11 project (even though the concept predated I-11 by about a decade). If I recall correctly, the Hoover Dam Bypass was already in construction, if not finished, when I-11 became official.

is i-215 going to be replacing county route 215 any time soon?

What I remember from many, many years ago — so long ago that it may not even be true anymore, even if my memory is right: NDOT felt that it couldn't put the Interstate shield on 215 except between segments that connect to already-signed Interstates. So the 15-515 segment qualified, but the west-of-15 segments wouldn't happen until either A) 215 is a full freeway all the way back around to I-15 at the Speedway, or, B) US 95 is signed as I-11 through northwest Las Vegas, and they are connected by a full interchange.

That's completely off topic... The Las Vegas Beltway was only signed as I-215 between I-15 and I-515, since the remaining portions were initially not built to Interstate standards (immediately west of I-15 was initially a frontage road network all the way to Russell Road). A construction projects currently underway will extend the freeway build out around the northwest corner by early next year, resulting in ~37 miles of continuous freeway (to just short of the US 95 interchange). However, I don't believe there are plans to sign CC 215 as I-215 until the entire route is built to Interstate standards.

That, and the possibility, remote or not, that I-11 might be routed around the SW city perimeter on what is now the composite 215 rather than directly through the city center.  I would think that particular decision would precede any Interstate signage west of the current I-15/I-215/CC 215 interchange.   

[kdk]

Does that say "Boulder City Blvd"? Surprising that "Nevada Highway" wasn't used.

Also, I kind of expected the signage on that to say "Boulder City, Hoover Dam," without a street name, to encourage pass-through tourist traffic in B.C. Shrug.

My guess is that a post-mounted "Boulder City, Lake Mead / Exit 15A" supplemental sign will be used for this purpose. No need to include Hoover Dam there (since that is better accessed via existing Exit 2), but the most direct path to Lake Mead from this direction will still be to go through town.

Google Street View suggests that Boulder City isn't too attached to the "Nevada Highway" name on existing US 93 northbound from the main downtown intersection. Backlit street name signs on traffic signals read "US 93", 1 newer street name sign at a cross street reads "US 93", about 2 street name signs at minor cross streets have older "Nevada Hwy" blades, and an additional 2-3 cross streets are missing the 93/Nevada Hwy blade altogether. Pretty much all of the street name signs at cross streets southbound from downtown all read "US 93"–although that makes sense with Nevada Way being a separate roadway through their historic downtown. My guess is that NDOT recommended the city to put a street name on old US 93, and the the city chose "Boulder City Blvd" so they could have the city's name on the freeway signs for the Business Route–or, since the business route is still currently owned/maintained as a state highway, NDOT just chose this name.


I'm actually more surprised that the casino access road is actually named "Railroad Pass Casino Rd". I'd have thought they'd just call it "Railroad Pass Road" so that the road could be named for a semi-geographic feature and not a business...

The Boulder City Boulevard is more/less a "new" thing for them.  With the change in traffic pattern Boulder City is planning some reconfiguration of the road, with new medians, landscaping, etc. to give the area a more touristy friendly look to attract people there with traffic volumes dropping. 

http://bouldercityreview.com/opinion/city-aims-complete-parkway-project#sthash.ukFomtEV.dpbs

Only thing is it sounded like they were going with "Boulder City Parkway" instead.

As for the Railroad Pass name, I believe the casino owner was forced to contribute $$$ and some of his land for right of way for the new highway in return to having his own interchange there, hence he must have negotiated getting the "casino" name there.  He's also taking advantage of it to add a truck stop and some other facilities there on his land.

As for the 11 Signs, I did notice that several construction signs and trailers had the 11 shield on them from the beginning of the project so it seemed like it would be signed 11.

[sparker]

As for the Railroad Pass name, I believe the casino owner was forced to contribute $$$ and some of his land for right of way for the new highway in return to having his own interchange there, hence he must have negotiated getting the "casino" name there.  He's also taking advantage of it to add a truck stop and some other facilities there on his land.

As for the 11 Signs, I did notice that several construction signs and trailers had the 11 shield on them from the beginning of the project so it seemed like it would be signed 11.

The Railroad Pass casino has been a pain in the ass, traffic-wise, for as long as I can remember; the casino owner must have forged some real political connections, as it seems the traffic light at the casino entrance near the top of the pass was never favorable to through traffic; there appeared to be a definite bias toward expediting movement to and from the casino grounds.  If indeed the owner was required to pony up for some of the improvements, then more power to NVDOT for squeezing it out of him (although he did acquire his own interchange in the process -- so he [or they] can't feel all that put-upon!).

I-11 signs on construction trailers may or may not necessarily indicate actual field signage -- although at this juncture I'd guess that someone in an official capacity will deem it appropriate to sign I-11 from at least the I-215/515 junction eastward to the bridge/state line -- if only to stake the state's "claim" to the designation.

[Sub-Urbanite]

The Railroad Pass casino has been a pain in the ass, traffic-wise, for as long as I can remember; the casino owner must have forged some real political connections, as it seems the traffic light at the casino entrance near the top of the pass was never favorable to through traffic; there appeared to be a definite bias toward expediting movement to and from the casino grounds.

The casino was owned by Mike Ensign, father of former U.S. Senator John Ensign, and eventually was folded into the Mandalay Resort Group, which eventually was folded into MGM Mirage. MGM sold it in 2014... right about when plans for the bypass were finalized.

[sparker]

The Railroad Pass casino has been a pain in the ass, traffic-wise, for as long as I can remember; the casino owner must have forged some real political connections, as it seems the traffic light at the casino entrance near the top of the pass was never favorable to through traffic; there appeared to be a definite bias toward expediting movement to and from the casino grounds.

The casino was owned by Mike Ensign, father of former U.S. Senator John Ensign, and eventually was folded into the Mandalay Resort Group, which eventually was folded into MGM Mirage. MGM sold it in 2014... right about when plans for the bypass were finalized.

Well, there you go; just a little bit of nepotism added into the equation -- figures!  So after the string of "bigger fish eating smaller fish" took it to MGM, which eventually sold it -- who owns it now?  As they were able to get their own interchange rather than having to survive as a denizen of a frontage road, it would seem they still are able to exert some level of influence! 

[Sub-Urbanite]

The mystery of Boulder City Boulevard is solved:

http://bouldercityreview.com/news/where-s-boulevard-new-sign-over-interstate-misnames-roadway

[Kniwt]

The new 2.5-mile section opens (southbound only) Tuesday at 5 a.m.:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/traffic/2-5-mile-stretch-of-southbound-i-11-opens-tuesday/

Drivers headed south on U.S. Highway 93 will be directed onto southbound I-11's concrete lanes near the casino in Henderson, NDOT spokesman Tony Illia said.

From there, vehicles will get to use a new 600-foot-long flyover bridge that connects I-11 with the overlapping U.S. highways 93 and 95.

Motorists headed to the Railroad Pass hotel will have to pass their destination and turn around about a mile away at the interchange where U.S. 93 and U.S. 95 split, Illia said.

Drivers headed north on U.S. 93 won't get to use I-11, but traffic lanes will be slightly shifted so that crews can complete the freeway.

[roadfro]

The mystery of Boulder City Boulevard is solved:

http://bouldercityreview.com/news/where-s-boulevard-new-sign-over-interstate-misnames-roadway

There's an error within the article...

In the past, the road, officially U.S. Highway 93, has been designated as State Route 101, Boulder Highway, Nevada Highway and Great Basin Highway, Rowland-Lagan said.

It wouldn't have been State Route 101, as that number doesn't fit geographically with the numbering scheme. I'm pretty sure it carried a FAU 501 designation after the 1976 renumbering (but maybe not signed as SR 501 though).

[US 89]

The mystery of Boulder City Boulevard is solved:

http://bouldercityreview.com/news/where-s-boulevard-new-sign-over-interstate-misnames-roadway

The article said they were fabricating 4 new signs. Why are they doing that, when they could just green out the Blvd and put Pkwy up? Seems like a waste of money.

[sparker]

The mystery of Boulder City Boulevard is solved:

http://bouldercityreview.com/news/where-s-boulevard-new-sign-over-interstate-misnames-roadway

There's an error within the article...

In the past, the road, officially U.S. Highway 93, has been designated as State Route 101, Boulder Highway, Nevada Highway and Great Basin Highway, Rowland-Lagan said.

It wouldn't have been State Route 101, as that number doesn't fit geographically with the numbering scheme. I'm pretty sure it carried a FAU 501 designation after the 1976 renumbering (but maybe not signed as SR 501 though).

Since US 93's southern terminus was at US 91 in Glendale, NV through 1935 and wasn't signed through Las Vegas until 1939 -- and US 95 wasn't even commissioned south of Winnemucca, NV until 1939 -- it's indeed possible that the Boulder City "spur" from the US 95 alignment east to the Hoover Dam construction site may have indeed been NV 101 prior to 1939.  I'll leave it to those who are more familiar with the old NV state highway network to inform us just what current US 95 was designated south of Las Vegas prior to '39.

P.S. -- A little research indicated that US 95 from Tonopah south to the CA state line south of Searchlight was originally NV state route 5.  Wasn't able to determine the true history of NV 101 from that source, however.

[gonealookin]

Since US 93's southern terminus was at US 91 in Glendale, NV through 1935 and wasn't signed through Las Vegas until 1939 -- and US 95 wasn't even commissioned south of Winnemucca, NV until 1939 -- it's indeed possible that the Boulder City "spur" from the US 95 alignment east to the Hoover Dam construction site may have indeed been NV 101 prior to 1939.  I'll leave it to those who are more familiar with the old NV state highway network to inform us just what current US 95 was designated south of Las Vegas prior to '39.

P.S. -- A little research indicated that US 95 from Tonopah south to the CA state line south of Searchlight was originally NV state route 5.  Wasn't able to determine the true history of NV 101 from that source, however.

The 1937 State Road Map (PDF) shows current US 93 as NV 26 (from the present US 93/95 split to the center of Boulder City), NV 42 (from Boulder City to the dam), and the whole thing is US 466.  US 95 was US 466/NV 5 from downtown Las Vegas to the 93/95 split; and the continuation of NV 5 all the way down past Searchlight to the CA line.

[sparker]

Since US 93's southern terminus was at US 91 in Glendale, NV through 1935 and wasn't signed through Las Vegas until 1939 -- and US 95 wasn't even commissioned south of Winnemucca, NV until 1939 -- it's indeed possible that the Boulder City "spur" from the US 95 alignment east to the Hoover Dam construction site may have indeed been NV 101 prior to 1939.  I'll leave it to those who are more familiar with the old NV state highway network to inform us just what current US 95 was designated south of Las Vegas prior to '39.

P.S. -- A little research indicated that US 95 from Tonopah south to the CA state line south of Searchlight was originally NV state route 5.  Wasn't able to determine the true history of NV 101 from that source, however.

The 1937 State Road Map (PDF) shows current US 93 as NV 26 (from the present US 93/95 split to the center of Boulder City), NV 42 (from Boulder City to the dam), and the whole thing is US 466.  US 95 was US 466/NV 5 from downtown Las Vegas to the 93/95 split; and the continuation of NV 5 all the way down past Searchlight to the CA line.

And no "101" to be found anywhere.  Unless someone can come up with something more than 80 years old that would indicate otherwise, I'm guessing it's just a misreading of an old map or log somewhere along the line.  BTW, thanks for supplying the old map -- it's interesting to see what NV considered primary roads back then (as in why old NV 2 suddenly took off over an old dirt road to the UT state line rather than remaining on US 6 or US 50).