Groundbreaking for new I-15 Exit 118 in NV

[Kniwt]

The St. George News reports today:
http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2015/12/01/jla-new-i-15-interchange-facilitates-access-to-industrial-park-new-truck-stop

A groundbreaking Wednesday morning will celebrate the construction of a new interchange at Exit 118 on Interstate 15 in Mesquite, Nevada, that will improve safety and provide easier access for large trucks.

The project will consist of a four-lane bridge over I-15 as well as a new four-lane approach roadway north of the I-15 corridor between the new bridge and West Pioneer Boulevard.

The interchange will divert traffic from local roads and offer heavy trucks and other travelers access to a planned truck stop and the city's industrial park, both of which are expected to help the area's economy, Mayor Al Litman said. Litman is also a board member of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

[Kniwt]

Mesquite Local News has an update on progress. The exit ramps are being paved in preparation for moving all traffic off the mainline so that the new overpass can be built. Traffic continues to be limited to one lane in each direction with a speed limit of 65mph.

(Interesting side note for bicyclists: Although I-15 is bike-legal in that area, no provision at all was made to accommodate cyclists. The shoulder is completely gone in both directions. The old road through Bunkerville is a perfectly adequate detour -- and is usually the preferred route anyway -- but there's no signage on I-15 to indicate that cyclists really shouldn't even think about trying to proceed through the work zone.)

http://mesquitelocalnews.com/2016/04/exit-118-progressing-toward-completion/

Seventy-two pieces of pre-cast concrete will be delivered in the next two weeks to the construction site at I-15 Exit 118. Beginning April 24, cranes will carefully lock in each piece across the interstate during the night when traffic is at its lowest. At the end of the month the cross bridge for the new interchange will be in place and the project will enter its final stages.

... The bridge will have the feel of an archway tunnel with metal falcons, rabbits and lizards adorning it. "The rabbits will be about 13 feet tall,"  Wheeler said. "There's a lot of aesthetics to it."

... "On the south archway will be a replica of the mountains south of Bunkerville. On the north archway will be a replica of the Flat Top Mesa. Where they meet in the middle will be a replica of the Virgin River,"  Wheeler said.

[Kniwt]

Another side note: I hope the "bit of aesthetics" will be better than the puking Pac-Man that adorns the other Mesquite overpass:

[andy3175]

Another side note: I hope the "bit of aesthetics" will be better than the puking Pac-Man that adorns the other Mesquite overpass:

Okay, I've seen that Pac-Man Sun many times and never saw it the way you just did. LOL.

[Kniwt]

Ribbon-cutting is now set for July 21.
http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/mesquite/2016/06/22/exit-118-completed-soon/86199330/

The exit includes the first archways in Nevada for an interchange spanning I-15, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. At a cost of $14.7 million, the diamond interchange includes a four-lane road that provides an exit and entrance in both directions.

[Alps]

Ribbon-cutting is now set for July 21.
http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/mesquite/2016/06/22/exit-118-completed-soon/86199330/

The exit includes the first archways in Nevada for an interchange spanning I-15, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. At a cost of $14.7 million, the diamond interchange includes a four-lane road that provides an exit and entrance in both directions.

Huh. Arches are an odd choice for 2016, especially solid ones instead of open. What was the motivator here?

[Kniwt]

Huh. Arches are an odd choice for 2016, especially solid ones instead of open. What was the motivator here?

"Artistic gateway" to the city:

[Kniwt]

The interchange is now open, after just seven months of work. 30 photos at the link:
http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/mesquite/2016/07/21/exit-118-mesquite-open-businesses/87402218/

Beyond the practical use of the interchange, Wheeler lauded the aesthetics of the archways – the only kind to be found on I-15 going through California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and Montana – as the city's new "gateway."

"We mimic the Bunkerville mountains on the right side of the arch and we mimic the Mesa Mountains on the left side of the arch and the Virgin River is in the median of I-15,"  he said.

[roadfro]

Amazing that was done in seven months... Must have been formed from prefabricated arches. That's some nice aesthetics also!

[nexus73]

That is some beautiful concrete!  I wonder what the landscaping will look like?

Rick

[jakeroot]

I thought modern construction avoided arches, because the variable height presented an issue for trucks.

[dfwmapper]

They're flatter than true arches, and it looks like there's plenty of clearance for trucks. Street View gives a better look. https://goo.gl/maps/YMNJXLmi5j12

[jakeroot]

They're flatter than true arches, and it looks like there's plenty of clearance for trucks. Street View gives a better look. https://goo.gl/maps/YMNJXLmi5j12

Definitely looks good to me. I must have been thinking of all those arches in the Northeast.

[mcarling]

Ample vertical clearance, even if they were to add a third lane in the future.

[Kniwt]

Now that the interchange is open, a pair of unusual (and nonstandard) mileposts have been erected, one in each direction and only at mile 118. Yes, that's a green 15 shield.

[myosh_tino]

Now that the interchange is open, a pair of unusual (and nonstandard) mileposts have been erected, one in each direction and only at mile 118. Yes, that's a green 15 shield.

That is actually an enhanced reference location sign and is in the 2009 MUTCD...

The only thing unusual is the green interstate shield.

[Kniwt]

The only thing unusual is the green interstate shield.

Yeah, that's the part that surprised me. But of course, on the new location signs out on US 95 west of Indian Springs, they can't agree on whether the shield should be white or black.

[roadfro]

Now that the interchange is open, a pair of unusual (and nonstandard) mileposts have been erected, one in each direction and only at mile 118. Yes, that's a green 15 shield.

That is actually an enhanced reference location sign and is in the 2009 MUTCD...

The only thing unusual is the green interstate shield.

As of last year, NDOT has adopted the MUTCD enhanced reference location sign for tracking statewide mileage on Interstate highways only. For US and state highways, "enhanced milepost" panels–which are basically larger white by-county mileposts (what Caltrans calls "postmile panels") with small shields instead of the route name in text. Incidentally, Interstates still receive standard mileposts by county mileage in addition to the green enhanced reference panels (which is why you see both in the first photo).

New enhanced mileage signs are being gradually installed. As of right now, they're primarily being put in along reconstruction or resurfacing projects. Green enhanced reference location signs have also recently been installed along I-580 just north of Carson City in Washoe Valley, after a recent resurfacing project–but those panels have full-color Interstate shields. So it's likely a design or contractor error.

The only thing unusual is the green interstate shield.

Yeah, that's the part that surprised me. But of course, on the new location signs out on US 95 west of Indian Springs, they can't agree on whether the shield should be white or black.

The black shields on those signs is another error. It should have been a white shield.

[compdude787]

I just saw this thread, but that is a beautiful bridge design!! Really hearkens back to the arched overpasses on NYC's parkways!