Las Vegas Airport Connector

[mcarling]

Phase II of the reconstruction of the I-215 / Airport Connector interchange in Las Vegas is moving along.  The new two lane ramp from the southbound airport connector to I-215 westbound just opened in the last few days.  I think the next step will be to switch the traffic from the southbound airport connector going to eastbound I-215 and to Warm Springs road onto the nearly complete new alignment that will eventually be for traffic going to Warm Springs Road.  It seems they need to close the old alignment to facilitate construction of the new flyover that will eventually carry the traffic from the southbound airport connector to I-215 eastbound.

Project information here: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/public-works/PW_Projects/Pages/AirportConnector.aspx

[mcarling]

Progress:  Traffic from the southbound Airport Connector to I-215 eastbound and to Warm Springs Road has a new alignment (shifted west from the previous alignment). This new alignment will be used only for traffic to Warm Springs Road after the future flyover to I-215 eastbound will be completed.  The old alignment has been removed, seemingly in preparation to build a pier to support the future flyover.

[roadfro]

I was through this area about two weeks ago.

Good to see progress, but I thought they'd have more of the southbound to eastbound flyover going by now...they are still working on some of the pillars and haven't installed any beams.

One random note: Some of the overhead signage has been installed or at least delivered on site. Several new signs southbound will use APLs... I suspect the existing diagrammatic arrow sign (which is the only one in the state of Nevada) will be removed upon conclusion of the project, as a new sign structure was installed just upstream of it.

[sparker]

IIRC, the airport connector/tunnel was part of NV 171.  Is there any indication that this designation will be displayed on BGS's or roadside reassurance signage once the project is completed?

[roadfro]

IIRC, the airport connector/tunnel was part of NV 171.  Is there any indication that this designation will be displayed on BGS's or roadside reassurance signage once the project is completed?

The roadway leading from I-215 to the south portal of the airport tunnel is designated SR 171. The tunnel itself is not part of SR 171. (Interestingly, this year's NDOT state maintained highways book notes that SR 171 is owned by the county and only maintained by NDOT–this description has not been included before.)

The route has never been signed, and I didn't see any indication that it would be signed after completion of this project.

[sparker]

IIRC, the airport connector/tunnel was part of NV 171.  Is there any indication that this designation will be displayed on BGS's or roadside reassurance signage once the project is completed?

The roadway leading from I-215 to the south portal of the airport tunnel is designated SR 171. The tunnel itself is not part of SR 171. (Interestingly, this year's NDOT state maintained highways book notes that SR 171 is owned by the county and only maintained by NDOT–this description has not been included before.)

The route has never been signed, and I didn't see any indication that it would be signed after completion of this project.

Thanks for the info.  I guess NDOT wants to make it clear that they have no responsibility for anything to do with the tunnel (if it doesn't belong to them or isn't maintained by them, I certainly can't fault them for making and codifying that distinction!). 

[mcarling]

I thought they'd have more of the southbound to eastbound flyover going by now...they are still working on some of the pillars and haven't installed any beams.

It was not possible to cap the northernmost pillar until a few weeks ago when they closed the previous alignment from the southbound airport connector to Warm Springs Road and I-215 eastbound.  I have no idea why they haven't yet installed any beams.

[mcarling]

Signs indicate that the ramp from eastbound I-215 to the Airport Connector will be closed this weekend from Friday evening through Monday morning.  I believe the first beams will be installed during this weekend's closure.

[mcarling]

I can confirm that last weekend I-beams were installed spanning the northernmost span and cantilevering about 25-35% of the way toward the next pillar to the south.  The cantilevered I-beams project over the ramp from westbound I-215 to the Airport Connector.  Signs now indicate that the same ramp will be closed again this weekend.  I presume they will complete the span over the closed ramp (connecting to the I-beams that are now cantilevered).  Sorry I don't have a photo, as it looks unusual and interesting.

[roadfro]

Minor update: Las Vegas Review Journal Article from 1/12/17

The 215 Beltway had overnight closures earlier this month for construction on the SB Airport Connector to EB I-215 flyover.

Warm Springs EB off ramp now closed, thru June 2017.

Project completion is expected Fall 2017.