NDOT40

Las Vegas Paving has secured a $33.8m construction contract from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for a five mile-long widening of Interstate 15 between Craig Road and Speedway Boulevard in North Las Vegas.

The contract will expand the highway from four to six travel lanes in each direction.

The project also includes the installation of new lighting, signage and landscaping works. Other works include drainage improvements and the widening and seismic upgrades of four overpass structures at Range Road and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

NDOT director Rudy Malfabon said: "The project will improve safety and mobility through the northern Interstate 15 corridor, greatly reducing travel times and congestion.

"It will also enhance traffic flows entering and exiting the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which is especially crucial during NASCAR events and the Electric Daisy Carnival."

Close to 42,000 vehicles pass this stretch of Interstate 15 daily. By 2033, this figure is expected to grow by 71%.

"The project will improve safety and mobility through the northern Interstate 15 corridor, greatly reducing travel times and congestion."

About 385,000 cubic yards of earth will be moved, which is enough dirt to fill 5,100 average sized swimming pools.

Construction work includes placing of 166,500 tonnes of asphalt or enough blacktop paving to cover 33,300 driveways.

During the peak of activity, the 18-month-long project will see up to 100 workers onsite.

Work will commence in August and is expected to be completed by early 2018.

Image: A photo with the stretch of road to be widened marked on it. Photo: Courtesy of Nevada Department of Transportation.