Interstate 11 alignment, though Vegas and points north

[Sub-Urbanite]

The plot thickens on I-11's routing through Southern Nevada.

Taking a look at the contract plans for the next ramp in the 95/215 Centennial Bowl interchange, the bid calls for the contractor to put both the I-11 and US 95 shields on signs to Southbound US 95 from CC 215. Now, one engineer's design on a planset does not a decision make, but... it's as clear of an indication that I've seen that I-11 will be routed through Las Vegas and not around it.

[sparker]

The plot thickens on I-11's routing through Southern Nevada.

Taking a look at the contract plans for the next ramp in the 95/215 Centennial Bowl interchange, the bid calls for the
contractor to put both the I-11 and US 95 shields on signs to Southbound US 95 from CC 215. Now, one engineer's design on a planset does not a decision make, but... it's as clear of an indication that I've seen that I-11 will be routed through Las Vegas and not around it.

That is interesting -- I'm wondering if the plans for such I-11 signage that far north are in any way related to the original signage contract that was to replace I-515 shields south of the I-215 interchange with those of I-11.  IIRC, that contract was suspended until the through-town study was to be completed early next year.  If these are more recent plans -- and signed off by NDOT, then that's a bit of a "tell" regarding their conclusions.   Perhaps the US 95 routing is more of a "given" than has been let on so far, and the alternate alignments are simply posited to obfuscate the fact that NDOT intends to overlay I-11 on US 95 unless there's a massive outcry for something else -- just the agency pulling a CYA maneuver (wouldn't be the first time a DOT did something like this!).

[roadfro]

The plot thickens on I-11's routing through Southern Nevada.

Taking a look at the contract plans for the next ramp in the 95/215 Centennial Bowl interchange, the bid calls for the
contractor to put both the I-11 and US 95 shields on signs to Southbound US 95 from CC 215. Now, one engineer's design on a planset does not a decision make, but... it's as clear of an indication that I've seen that I-11 will be routed through Las Vegas and not around it.

That is interesting -- I'm wondering if the plans for such I-11 signage that far north are in any way related to the original signage contract that was to replace I-515 shields south of the I-215 interchange with those of I-11.  IIRC, that contract was suspended until the through-town study was to be completed early next year.  If these are more recent plans -- and signed off by NDOT, then that's a bit of a "tell" regarding their conclusions.   Perhaps the US 95 routing is more of a "given" than has been let on so far, and the alternate alignments are simply posited to obfuscate the fact that NDOT intends to overlay I-11 on US 95 unless there's a massive outcry for something else -- just the agency pulling a CYA maneuver (wouldn't be the first time a DOT did something like this!).

Sub-Urbanite: Where did you get the plans? I'm interested to take a look.

Sparker: Doubtful that the signage in this project was in any way related to the original I-515/I-11 signage contract...  Despite my insistence that NDOT hasn't made any formal decisions about I-11's Vegas routing, I've always kinda suspected that they'd favor the US 95 option. We had a "hint" mentioned previously–recent I-15 SB to US 95 NB/MLK ramp sign replacement wide enough to accommodate a future I-11 shield (Original vs April 2018, although note the entire sign structure was changed/moved). Another thing I just thought of is that either of the options using portions of the 215 would, at least currently, put I-11 on a non-NDOT roadway...as far as I know, it's still planned to turn CC-215 over to NDOT, but who knows...

[Sub-Urbanite]

Check the e-bidding portal for the ramp project, Plan sets 2 and 3. If I could figure out how to upload directly, or at least an image, I would.

[Sub-Urbanite]

Mildly less interesting update: The plans for the US 95 / 157 interchange also have the I-11 shield ordered on the signs, and covered with a green square.

[sparker]

Mildly less interesting update: The plans for the US 95 / 157 interchange also have the I-11 shield ordered on the signs, and covered with a green square.

Yet another indication that NV is really intent on rolling forward with I-11 "north".  That brings up another issue:  The planning map (see reply #458 above) indicates that a new-terrain bypass of Indian Springs is in the works; my question is why?  The present US 95 expressway through town has no private access; the town's streets parallel to that facility function as effective frontage roads, and there are terrain issues to the south and Creech AFB's runway facilities to the north.  Why not just erect overpasses and/or put I-11 on a berm through town?  If as I suspect the initial foray NW of LV will be an upgrading of the already divided US 95 out to Mercury, it would seem that the more direct approach would expedite any such plans.

[Henry]

The plot thickens on I-11's routing through Southern Nevada.

Taking a look at the contract plans for the next ramp in the 95/215 Centennial Bowl interchange, the bid calls for the
contractor to put both the I-11 and US 95 shields on signs to Southbound US 95 from CC 215. Now, one engineer's design on a planset does not a decision make, but… it's as clear of an indication that I've seen that I-11 will be routed through Las Vegas and not around it.

That is interesting -- I'm wondering if the plans for such I-11 signage that far north are in any way related to the original signage contract that was to replace I-515 shields south of the I-215 interchange with those of I-11.  IIRC, that contract was suspended until the through-town study was to be completed early next year.  If these are more recent plans -- and signed off by NDOT, then that's a bit of a "tell" regarding their conclusions.   Perhaps the US 95 routing is more of a "given" than has been let on so far, and the alternate alignments are simply posited to obfuscate the fact that NDOT intends to overlay I-11 on US 95 unless there's a massive outcry for something else -- just the agency pulling a CYA maneuver (wouldn't be the first time a DOT did something like this!).

Sub-Urbanite: Where did you get the plans? I'm interested to take a look.

Sparker: Doubtful that the signage in this project was in any way related to the original I-515/I-11 signage contract...  Despite my insistence that NDOT hasn't made any formal decisions about I-11's Vegas routing, I've always kinda suspected that they'd favor the US 95 option. We had a "hint" mentioned previously—recent I-15 SB to US 95 NB/MLK ramp sign replacement wide enough to accommodate a future I-11 shield (Original vs April 2018, although note the entire sign structure was changed/moved). Another thing I just thought of is that either of the options using portions of the 215 would, at least currently, put I-11 on a non-NDOT roadway...as far as I know, it's still planned to turn CC-215 over to NDOT, but who knows...

Mildly less interesting update: The plans for the US 95 / 157 interchange also have the I-11 shield ordered on the signs, and covered with a green square.

Yet another indication that NV is really intent on rolling forward with I-11 "north".  That brings up another issue:  The planning map (see reply #458 above) indicates that a new-terrain bypass of Indian Springs is in the works; my question is why?  The present US 95 expressway through town has no private access; the town's streets parallel to that facility function as effective frontage roads, and there are terrain issues to the south and Creech AFB's runway facilities to the north.  Why not just erect overpasses and/or put I-11 on a berm through town?  If as I suspect the initial foray NW of LV will be an upgrading of the already divided US 95 out to Mercury, it would seem that the more direct approach would expedite any such plans.

No surprise there; my suspicions on I-11 replacing I-515 are closer to being confirmed. Also, it looks like they're getting serious about getting it all the way to at least I-80, though while the exact endpoint is still up in the air, Carson City's definitely a no-go. Still, I'd like to see a nonstop routing between Vegas and Reno someday, along with the one to Phoenix.

[Sub-Urbanite]

Yet another indication that NV is really intent on rolling forward with I-11 "north".  That brings up another issue:  The planning map (see reply #458 above) indicates that a new-terrain bypass of Indian Springs is in the works; my question is why?  The present US 95 expressway through town has no private access; the town's streets parallel to that facility function as effective frontage roads, and there are terrain issues to the south and Creech AFB's runway facilities to the north.  Why not just erect overpasses and/or put I-11 on a berm through town?  If as I suspect the initial foray NW of LV will be an upgrading of the already divided US 95 out to Mercury, it would seem that the more direct approach would expedite any such plans.

One could argue that, with our increased knowledge of the potency of PM 2.5 from diesel emissions, the public interest is served by moving freight traffic away from the residents.

[vdeane]

The question is, where would it go?  Between the town and the air force base, anything but an in-place upgrade is blocked along that corridor; the detour to go around would make the detour around Boulder City look like nothing.

[Sub-Urbanite]

The question is, where would it go?  Between the town and the air force base, anything but an in-place upgrade is blocked along that corridor; the detour to go around would make the detour around Boulder City look like nothing.

There's a pass in the hills south of town with relatively level terrain that's about 600 feet in elevation above the current alignment. Following the power lines, you'd be at about 2% grade and roughly the same travel distance for through traffic, about 10 miles of new road bed. Cheap? Nope. But what is?

[sparker]

^^^^^^^^^^
I'm guessing that there's something in play here besides the welfare of the residents and the proximity of the USAF installation -- possibly development plans calling for the present US 95 alignment as a commercial strip (business loop?), which would then mean some form of bypass.  But we're probably still at least 5-7 years away from anything happening here regarding the I-11 corridor -- so plans likely still have an amount of flexibility. 

[Bobby5280]

If the people in Indian Springs and Creech AFB want I-11 to bypass the town I sure hope they understand the consequences of that choice. By the way, they'll be lumping Cactus Springs into that scenario.

A new terrain bypass to the South along the utility alignment would put most of the roadside businesses along present day US-95 out of business. Then there would just be Creech AFB and a few residences outside of it. That's all. It would suck for any civilians living there who didn't have access to the AFB. They would have to drive 30 miles back to Las Vegas just to get fuel, groceries, etc. Perhaps new gas stations, convenience stores and fast food joints would pop up along the bypass merge points of US-95 & I-11 several miles East & West of Indian Springs. But that's no guarantee.

IMHO, it would be better for existing US-95 to be upgraded through Indian Springs. There is plenty of room to accomplish it. I don't buy the diesel fuel angle as the reason for a bypass. All kinds of diesel trucks routinely travel through any business district, whether they're passing through or making deliveries. Living on or next door to an Air Force Base isn't an environmentalist paradise either.

I'm wondering if it would be actually be cheaper to build a new terrain bypass around Indian Springs. An upgrade thru Indian Springs wouldn't require new ROW. But it's a given the pavement would likely be completely re-done along that stretch. And at least a couple or so new freeway exits would be required. Compare that to just building a bypass to the South with no exits, little if any utility relocation, etc.

There's also an angle of security. Maybe Air Force planners don't want a new super highway running close to that base. More traffic could mean more chances of people snooping around, taking pictures, etc. There's conflicting philosophies with highway access to military installations. Security is one concern. But the Interstate highway system was created in part to move military equipment quickly. Plenty of installations have direct access to freeways via exits at their gates. Some freeways even go inside or thru the bases.

[Sub-Urbanite]

If the people in Indian Springs and Creech AFB want I-11 to bypass the town I sure hope they understand the consequences of that choice. By the way, they'll be lumping Cactus Springs into that scenario.

A new terrain bypass to the South along the utility alignment would put most of the roadside businesses along present day US-95 out of business. Then there would just be Creech AFB and a few residences outside of it. That's all. It would suck for any civilians living there who didn't have access to the AFB. They would have to drive 30 miles back to Las Vegas just to get fuel, groceries, etc. Perhaps new gas stations, convenience stores and fast food joints would pop up along the bypass merge points of US-95 & I-11 several miles East & West of Indian Springs. But that's no guarantee.

IMHO, it would be better for existing US-95 to be upgraded through Indian Springs. There is plenty of room to accomplish it. I don't buy the diesel fuel angle as the reason for a bypass. All kinds of diesel trucks routinely travel through any business district, whether they're passing through or making deliveries. Living on or next door to an Air Force Base isn't an environmentalist paradise either.

I'm wondering if it would be actually be cheaper to build a new terrain bypass around Indian Springs. An upgrade thru Indian Springs wouldn't require new ROW. But it's a given the pavement would likely be completely re-done along that stretch. And at least a couple or so new freeway exits would be required. Compare that to just building a bypass to the South with no exits, little if any utility relocation, etc.

Guessing you've never been to scenic Cactus Springs, which consists of a hippie temple and a boarded-up bar, and nothing else.

As for Indian Springs, the town has exactly one highway-based business, a gas station / mini-mart. I guess it's all to say, it'll be up to the fine people of Indian Springs to compare the potential costs of a bypass (fiscal and potential loss of services) with the potential costs of an in-town route (exposure to exhaust and noise pollution). And, surely, the Air Force will have a say in the matter.

[sparker]

^^^^^^^^
I suppose they could trench I-11 along the existing US 95 alignment; that would keep curious eyes out of USAF territory  at its nearest point; what there is of roadside business could be arrayed along the frontage streets.  Either option -- in-town or southern bypass -- the life of that town won't be the same.   

[Tarkus]

^^^^^^^^
I suppose they could trench I-11 along the existing US 95 alignment; that would keep curious eyes out of USAF territory  at its nearest point; what there is of roadside business could be arrayed along the frontage streets.  Either option -- in-town or southern bypass -- the life of that town won't be the same.   

Creech AFB is the Air Force's big drone development facility, and has been expanding quite a bit in recent years.  That expansion has actually taken out some of the business--compare 2015 Google Street View to 2018 Google Street View.  The area where the Chevron station, the RV park, and the casino/liquor store was in 2015 is now fenced off and part of the base. 

It's also worth noting that in 2015, there was also a 35mph zone on US-95 through Indian Springs.  Having driven through in 2017, and confirming through 2018 GSV (the "Speed Limit 35" signs are gone), it's now 45mph all the way through town.

My feeling is that the Air Force will probably want to expand Creech even more in the coming years, and it's clear from the speed limit increase that NDOT is noting Indian Springs' dwindling population and activity levels, and allowing quicker travel as a result.  The state patrol might be a bit disappointed in that their speed trap revenue there will be going down--and will really go down once I-11 goes in--but the Air Force is likely going to be in favor of the upgrade, as long as it meshes with whatever they plan to do with the base going forward.

The road is already configured as a wide expressway through town, which is built to the same sort of width standards as the free-flowing portions of US-95 on either side, and there are already frontage roads on each side.  Provided NDOT can determine a solution that is acceptable to the Air Force, they may well be able to use the existing ROW.  There would probably be room for a tight diamond at the MacFarland intersection--the main at-grade one in town--if the prospect of an elevated roadway isn't going to compromise anything at Creech.  If not, then the southern bypass would likely be in play.

[sparker]

The road is already configured as a wide expressway through town, which is built to the same sort of width standards as the free-flowing portions of US-95 on either side, and there are already frontage roads on each side.  Provided NDOT can determine a solution that is acceptable to the Air Force, they may well be able to use the existing ROW.  There would probably be room for a tight diamond at the MacFarland intersection--the main at-grade one in town--if the prospect of an elevated roadway isn't going to compromise anything at Creech.  If not, then the southern bypass would likely be in play.

I was thinking more along the lines of a trench per my prior post -- with the possiblility of an extended diamond interchange utilizing the parallel frontage roads as effective ramp extensions, with the actual ramps NB off/SB on at th end of the several-block segment and the SB off/NB on at the NW end of the below-ground I-11 segment.  An arrangement like that should satisfy the security needs around Creech while avoiding a relatively costly new-terrain segment. 

Alternately -- if as stated above Creech is the USAF's "drone central", so to speak -- there might be the possibility that a defense aerospace contractor is looking to locate a design and/or production facility adjacent to the base itself -- which could possibly account for the southern bypass concept, as such a facility might well occupy the land used presently for US 95 -- and the commensurate housing development as support might be factored into any bypass decision.   

[mgk920]

^^

If you look closely at the 2015 image, you'll note that that area on the north side of the highway was already blocked off with concrete barriers and just to the east (towards Las Vegas), there are several vehicles parked on the frontage road with people standing around (likely USAF contractors), almost looking like they are reminiscing about the boarded up motel and other commercial buildings.

Mike

[roadfro]

Creech AFB is the Air Force's big drone development facility, and has been expanding quite a bit in recent years.  That expansion has actually taken out some of the business--compare 2015 Google Street View to 2018 Google Street View.  The area where the Chevron station, the RV park, and the casino/liquor store was in 2015 is now fenced off and part of the base. 

It's also worth noting that in 2015, there was also a 35mph zone on US-95 through Indian Springs.  Having driven through in 2017, and confirming through 2018 GSV (the "Speed Limit 35" signs are gone), it's now 45mph all the way through town.

My feeling is that the Air Force will probably want to expand Creech even more in the coming years, and it's clear from the speed limit increase that NDOT is noting Indian Springs' dwindling population and activity levels, and allowing quicker travel as a result.  The state patrol might be a bit disappointed in that their speed trap revenue there will be going down--and will really go down once I-11 goes in--but the Air Force is likely going to be in favor of the upgrade, as long as it meshes with whatever they plan to do with the base going forward.

The road is already configured as a wide expressway through town, which is built to the same sort of width standards as the free-flowing portions of US-95 on either side, and there are already frontage roads on each side.  Provided NDOT can determine a solution that is acceptable to the Air Force, they may well be able to use the existing ROW.  There would probably be room for a tight diamond at the MacFarland intersection--the main at-grade one in town--if the prospect of an elevated roadway isn't going to compromise anything at Creech.  If not, then the southern bypass would likely be in play.

I was thinking more along the lines of a trench per my prior post -- with the possiblility of an extended diamond interchange utilizing the parallel frontage roads as effective ramp extensions, with the actual ramps NB off/SB on at th end of the several-block segment and the SB off/NB on at the NW end of the below-ground I-11 segment.  An arrangement like that should satisfy the security needs around Creech while avoiding a relatively costly new-terrain segment. 

Alternately -- if as stated above Creech is the USAF's "drone central", so to speak -- there might be the possibility that a defense aerospace contractor is looking to locate a design and/or production facility adjacent to the base itself -- which could possibly account for the southern bypass concept, as such a facility might well occupy the land used presently for US 95 -- and the commensurate housing development as support might be factored into any bypass decision.   

Note the increased speed limit through Indian Springs is likely a direct result of there now being a lack of anything of importance along the north side frontage road. Previously, there was the original Creech AFB main gate at the west end, an RV park at the MacFarland intersection, and the Chevron, casino, and a hotel near the east end–US 95 had crosswalks (with continuously flashing beacons) and longitudinal rumble strips at MacFarland and at least one other location. Today, the original main gate is still there but not in major use (the east entrance seems to have been built up since 2007 to be a more major entrance/inspection area), and everything else public has been razed. US 95 was resurfaced in and west of Indian Springs a few years ago, with the rumble strips being removed, and the crosswalks were later removed. I'm fairly certain the speed limit change happened concurrently with the crosswalk removal, likely as a result of the decreased cross traffic.

Looking at the aerials, it appears much of the new development at Creech has been on the northeast corner of the base property. But I also see some newer looking buildings and parking lots on the south side near US 95 as well.


I could easily see providing for a diamond interchange at the main east gate to Creech AFB and another diamond (or split diamond) to serve Indian Springs. The highway ROW has a wide median, which could be narrowed to make tight diamond configurations work. They could even find solutions that remove the north frontage road adjacent to the base to provide more separation. Plenty of solutions that don't necessitate a southern bypass...some minor realigning could be far more cost effective.

[Bobby5280]

If they do end up upgrading existing US-95 through Indian Springs they could make use of those tall concrete sound walls that line a bunch of urban freeways next to residential zones. Those things would block out of any view highway traffic could get of the Air Force Base.

Still, if the population in the town is dwindling and the AFB is buying up more property around there it might be easiest to just shoot I-11 through that mountain gap and bypass the whole area. Fewer exits and other stuff to build. No slow downs in speed limit either.

[michravera]

If they do end up upgrading existing US-95 through Indian Springs they could make use of those tall concrete sound walls that line a bunch of urban freeways next to residential zones. Those things would block out of any view highway traffic could get of the Air Force Base.

Still, if the population in the town is dwindling and the AFB is buying up more property around there it might be easiest to just shoot I-11 through that mountain gap and bypass the whole area. Fewer exits and other stuff to build. No slow downs in speed limit either.

If they, for any reason, drop the speed limit below the state maximum, there is no reason to build the road. The current US-95 (even the 2-lane portion) is posted for 70MPH except around Walker Lake and through town. If they can't post the new freeway 80+MPH all of the way to I-80, why would they even build it?
I wonder if Nevada will ever bring back "dereg", which was effectively the speed limit before 1974. The state has gotten a little bit more pro-reg over the last 45 years, but once east of the shadow of the Sierras, I don't really see the point of speed limits outside of towns. Outside of the built up areas, why bother with a speed limit. I got popped for 85/70 by Officer Donahue back in 1997 on the two-lane portion in Nye County. It was perfectly safe even on the existing road.

[sparker]

If they do end up upgrading existing US-95 through Indian Springs they could make use of those tall concrete sound walls that line a bunch of urban freeways next to residential zones. Those things would block out of any view highway traffic could get of the Air Force Base.

Still, if the population in the town is dwindling and the AFB is buying up more property around there it might be easiest to just shoot I-11 through that mountain gap and bypass the whole area. Fewer exits and other stuff to build. No slow downs in speed limit either.

If they, for any reason, drop the speed limit below the state maximum, there is no reason to build the road. The current US-95 (even the 2-lane portion) is posted for 70MPH except around Walker Lake and through town. If they can't post the new freeway 80+MPH all of the way to I-80, why would they even build it?
I wonder if Nevada will ever bring back "dereg", which was effectively the speed limit before 1974. The state has gotten a little bit more pro-reg over the last 45 years, but once east of the shadow of the Sierras, I don't really see the point of speed limits outside of towns. Outside of the built up areas, why bother with a speed limit. I got popped for 85/70 by Officer Donahue back in 1997 on the two-lane portion in Nye County. It was perfectly safe even on the existing road.

They could conceivably drop an I-11 speed from 70 down to 60 if a through-town routing was configured as a narrower-than-usual alignment (e.g. I-5 through Arbuckle, CA on the original 1958 bypass); that would be more of an inconvenience than an obstacle.  But if that's offered as an option when the final plans for the route through the town are being considered, it may make the southern bypass more desirable.

I remembered driving to Vegas back in 1969 on spring break -- with a new 327 engine in my old Chevy (and a transmission upgrade as well) I got up into the mid-100's on I-15 near Jean under the old "reasonable and prudent" law (not that doing 150 on any Interstate is either reasonable or prudent -- you do dumb shit when you're 19).  I suppose NV could conceivably bring back that standard -- but, like with prostitution, they'd probably leave it up to the individual counties -- and Clark County, being increasingly "civilized" over the past several decades, would in all likelihood opt to maintain the current limit system.  The rural/desert counties?  Probably some of them would lift the limits -- it all depends upon who's running them if and when the decision is made. 

[pdx-wanderer]

If they do end up upgrading existing US-95 through Indian Springs they could make use of those tall concrete sound walls that line a bunch of urban freeways next to residential zones. Those things would block out of any view highway traffic could get of the Air Force Base.

Still, if the population in the town is dwindling and the AFB is buying up more property around there it might be easiest to just shoot I-11 through that mountain gap and bypass the whole area. Fewer exits and other stuff to build. No slow downs in speed limit either.

If they, for any reason, drop the speed limit below the state maximum, there is no reason to build the road. The current US-95 (even the 2-lane portion) is posted for 70MPH except around Walker Lake and through town. If they can't post the new freeway 80+MPH all of the way to I-80, why would they even build it?
I wonder if Nevada will ever bring back "dereg", which was effectively the speed limit before 1974. The state has gotten a little bit more pro-reg over the last 45 years, but once east of the shadow of the Sierras, I don't really see the point of speed limits outside of towns. Outside of the built up areas, why bother with a speed limit. I got popped for 85/70 by Officer Donahue back in 1997 on the two-lane portion in Nye County. It was perfectly safe even on the existing road.

They could conceivably drop an I-11 speed from 70 down to 60 if a through-town routing was configured as a narrower-than-usual alignment (e.g. I-5 through Arbuckle, CA on the original 1958 bypass); that would be more of an inconvenience than an obstacle.  But if that's offered as an option when the final plans for the route through the town are being considered, it may make the southern bypass more desirable.

I remembered driving to Vegas back in 1969 on spring break -- with a new 327 engine in my old Chevy (and a transmission upgrade as well) I got up into the mid-100's on I-15 near Jean under the old "reasonable and prudent" law (not that doing 150 on any Interstate is either reasonable or prudent -- you do dumb shit when you're 19).  I suppose NV could conceivably bring back that standard -- but, like with prostitution, they'd probably leave it up to the individual counties -- and Clark County, being increasingly "civilized" over the past several decades, would in all likelihood opt to maintain the current limit system.  The rural/desert counties?  Probably some of them would lift the limits -- it all depends upon who's running them if and when the decision is made.

The divided portion from Vegas to Searchlight is 75 MPH, the times I've been down there I never got why the divided stretch north of Vegas was just 70 MPH, the same as the 2-lane stretch (more at grade crossings?). Really none of those US 95 towns have anywhere near the population to warrant a drop in freeway by-pass speed limit, if anything it would be because of terrain issues and Indian Springs is the only one where routing through town is remotely feasible over a new bypass and Bus. I-11 or separate US 95 routing along the original alignment.

Hopefully the speed limit would be 75 or 80, I believe the only 70 mph interstates in NV are Sparks-Fernley and Vegas-CA. The first one does have some terrain but, Vegas-CA to me doesn't seem to have any good reason to be that low, other than to trap overly excited Vegas vacationers after the wholly unenforced 70 stretch in CA. The biggest increase in real I-11 speed will probably come from not a higher speed limit but eliminating instances of being stuck behind large vehicles, especially on some of the more hilly areas. I can't remember ever seeing as much suicide lane passing on a 2 lane road - US 97 is the only thing in Oregon that comes close to that!

[Sub-Urbanite]

Hopefully the speed limit would be 75 or 80, I believe the only 70 mph interstates in NV are Sparks-Fernley and Vegas-CA. The first one does have some terrain but, Vegas-CA to me doesn't seem to have any good reason to be that low, other than to trap overly excited Vegas vacationers after the wholly unenforced 70 stretch in CA. The biggest increase in real I-11 speed will probably come from not a higher speed limit but eliminating instances of being stuck behind large vehicles, especially on some of the more hilly areas. I can't remember ever seeing as much suicide lane passing on a 2 lane road - US 97 is the only thing in Oregon that comes close to that!

I don't think anyone is getting any tickets on I-15 between Vegas and Primm for going 75. Or for going 80. There are enough idiots going 100+ in that stretch to keep NHP busy. Going 100 in a 75 is a $215 fine, going 100 in a 70 is a $305 fine, and if you're dumb enough to go 100 in that busy stretch of freeway, you deserve every bit of that extra $90.

[Plutonic Panda]

Hopefully the speed limit would be 75 or 80, I believe the only 70 mph interstates in NV are Sparks-Fernley and Vegas-CA. The first one does have some terrain but, Vegas-CA to me doesn't seem to have any good reason to be that low, other than to trap overly excited Vegas vacationers after the wholly unenforced 70 stretch in CA. The biggest increase in real I-11 speed will probably come from not a higher speed limit but eliminating instances of being stuck behind large vehicles, especially on some of the more hilly areas. I can't remember ever seeing as much suicide lane passing on a 2 lane road - US 97 is the only thing in Oregon that comes close to that!

I don't think anyone is getting any tickets on I-15 between Vegas and Primm for going 75. Or for going 80. There are enough idiots going 100+ in that stretch to keep NHP busy. Going 100 in a 75 is a $215 fine, going 100 in a 70 is a $305 fine, and if you're dumb enough to go 100 in that busy stretch of freeway, you deserve every bit of that extra $90.

call me whatever you want but i routinely do 100MPH or so sometimes faster and have no issue with police. I've even passed one doing 105 and all he did was flash his lights. That stretch of freeway often has the passing lane clear and I'll cruise it the whole way unless someone wants to go faster than me which happens every once in awhile.

[pdx-wanderer]

Hopefully the speed limit would be 75 or 80, I believe the only 70 mph interstates in NV are Sparks-Fernley and Vegas-CA. The first one does have some terrain but, Vegas-CA to me doesn't seem to have any good reason to be that low, other than to trap overly excited Vegas vacationers after the wholly unenforced 70 stretch in CA. The biggest increase in real I-11 speed will probably come from not a higher speed limit but eliminating instances of being stuck behind large vehicles, especially on some of the more hilly areas. I can't remember ever seeing as much suicide lane passing on a 2 lane road - US 97 is the only thing in Oregon that comes close to that!

I don't think anyone is getting any tickets on I-15 between Vegas and Primm for going 75. Or for going 80. There are enough idiots going 100+ in that stretch to keep NHP busy. Going 100 in a 75 is a $215 fine, going 100 in a 70 is a $305 fine, and if you're dumb enough to go 100 in that busy stretch of freeway, you deserve every bit of that extra $90.

call me whatever you want but i routinely do 100MPH or so sometimes faster and have no issue with police. I've even passed one doing 105 and all he did was flash his lights. That stretch of freeway often has the passing lane clear and I'll cruise it the whole way unless someone wants to go faster than me which happens every once in awhile.

Eh. I personally won't drive that fast there (I found traffic from Vegas-AZ to feel much faster - less than an hour from the Spaghetti Bowl to Mesquite!) but they should just raise the speed limit there and be done with it...CA should too but a limit higher than 70 in CA seems unlikely while NV has 80 mph zones already. There is no good reason for it to be that low. Even many freeway speeds in Vegas could probably be 70-75. The new I-11 was the same thing, 65 mph (which did seem to be actually being enforced when I went through there) through open desert is way too slow! especially when you also have 75 mph US 95 there too.
Point being I hope they give I-11 through the desert the 80 mph it deserves.