Future Aspirations
Although Interstate 515 currently ends southeast of Henderson and northwest of Railroad Pass, it could be extended in two possible directions as a result of projects to upgrade both the U.S. 93 corridor to the southeast and the U.S. 95 corridor to the south. Plans for the Boulder City Bypass and the Hoover Dam Bypass have been referred to as Interstate 515, so it is increasingly likely that the U.S. 93 freeway extension through Boulder City and into Arizona is most likely to have the Interstate 515 designation. A long-term plan calls for the U.S. 93 corridor from Phoenix to Las Vegas (including the Interstate 515 segment) to become part of Interstate 11.
South of Boulder City, U.S. 95 was recently (by 2009) expanded to four lanes (expressway standards with no interchanges) from the U.S. 93 interchange south to the California State Line. This route could also be considered for future expansion to freeway and could also see a future Interstate highway designation.
Northwest of downtown Las Vegas, the U.S. 95 freeway could become part of a future Interstate 515, especially after the Interstate 215/Las Vegas Beltway project is completed.
Boulder City Bypass
Nevada DOT plans to make U.S. 93 a freeway from the end of the freeway (and Interstate 515) at Boulder Highway into Arizona. This will include an interchange at the Railroad Pass Casino, rebuilding the U.S. 95-Laughlin interchange, and building a freeway bypass of Boulder City. The new Boulder City bypass would bypass the city to the south (Alternative D), leaving the existing U.S. 93 "bypass" (with its businesses and hotels) in its current configuration to the north. This new bypass would be a freeway and includes an interchange at Railroad Pass. Timing of the construction of this bypass is contingent upon the availability of funding. It is likely to be part of an extended Interstate 515.
Hoover Dam Bypass
A principal component of the U.S. 93 project is the construction of the Hoover Dam Bypass, which is a steel arch, four-lane bridge that cross over the Colorado River and the Black Canyon to the south of the dam. After a preliminary study, the Sugarloaf Mountain alternative was selected as the route of this bridge. While the Sugarloaf Mountain alternative brought some opposition to this plan, other groups emerged to oppose other plans, such as construction of a freeway along the Nevada 163/Arizona 68 corridor through Laughlin and Bullhead City, construction of a bridge over Lake Mead north of the dam, or the option of building nothing and leaving traffic to cross the river via the dam. Initial design and construction of the Sugarloaf Mountain route began in 2003, and most of the actual bridge construction has occurred between Spring 2004 and Summer 2010. Completion and opening of the bridge and approaches is expected in Fall 2010. For more information, visit the Hoover Dam Bypass home page. The Hoover Dam Bypass will open as U.S. 93 but may become part of an extended Interstate 515 contingent upon completion of the Boulder City Bypass.
U.S. 95 Expressway to Laughlin
By 2009, initial widening of U.S. 95 to four lanes south of Boulder City to the California-Nevada State Line is complete. The highway has no interchanges and passes through Searchlight. Long-term plans call for eventual conversion of U.S. 95 into freeway standards, which would likely include a bypass of Searchlight. South of the state line, there are no active plans to expand U.S. 95 into freeway standards although increased traffic counts may someday demand it all the way to Interstate 40 near Needles.
U.S. 95 Freeway Expansion West of Downtown Las Vegas
Northwest of Interstate 15, the U.S. 95 corridor was widened over the course of several projects that will increase capacity between 2000 and 2007. It is possible, but unlikely at this time, that this corridor may be added to the Interstate Highway System. The upgrade projects were:
- Project 1A: Widen U.S. 95 from Washington Avenue to Cheyenne Avenue - completed between January 2000 and September 2001
- Project 1B: Widen U.S. 95 from Cheyenne Avenue to Craig Road - completed between April 2000 and June 2002
- Project 2A: Replace bridge structure at Torrey Pines Drive over U.S. 95. - completed between April 2000 and April 2002
- Project 2B: Replace bridge structures on US 9.5. at Decatur Blvd and Valley View Blvd. - completed between April 2000 and Fall 2003
- Projects 2C & 2D: Summerlin/Rainbow Interchange - began June 2001 and complete Fall 2005
- Project 3A: Business U.S. 95/Nevada 599 Rancho Drive Storm Drain - began June 2001 and complete Spring 2004
- Project 3: Widen U.S. 95 from Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. to just east of Valley View Blvd - began June 2001 and complete October 2006
- Project 3B: Martin Luther King Boulevard to east of Valley View Boulevard Storm Drain and Soundwalls - began June 2001 and complete Fall 2004
- Project 4: Widen U.S. 95 from east of Valley View Boulevard to west of Jones Boulevard - began July 2001 and complete Fall 2006
- Project 4A: East of Valley View Boulevard to west of Jones Boulevard Storm Drains and Soundwalls - began July 2001 and complete November 2004
- Project 5: Widen U.S. 95 from west of Jones Boulevard to Washington Avenue - began June 2001 and complete Fall 2006
As current plans go, U.S. 95 would have four through lanes, one exit only lane, and one diamond (HOV or carpool) lane in each direction from Rainbow to Interstate 15, and three through, one exit only, and one diamond from Rainbow to at least Craig Road and possibly all the way to Clark County Route 215/Las Vegas Beltway.
Interstate 515 Highway Guides
| Scenes Pertaining to Interstate 515 |
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Now traveling north on Las Vegas Boulevard (Nevada 604), this traffic signal and shield assembly are located at the left turn from Las Vegas Boulevard to Interstate 515 and U.S. 93-95 notrh. Note the mast arm for the traffic signal, which shows the freeway name as "US-95." Photo taken 11/12/00. |
Page Updated March 5, 2010.
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