The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, and Clark County, broke ground on the $47 million U.S. 95/215 Beltway interchange, or “Centennial Bowl,” in northwest Las Vegas. Las Vegas Paving Corp. is the general contractor.
“This interchange connection greatly enhances traffic, mobility and motorist safety in northwest Las Vegas,” said NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon. “Currently, over 107,500 vehicles daily travel the ramps and freeways at U.S. 95 and the 215 Beltway, and it’s only expected to grow in the future.”
The project will build north and southbound U.S. 95 connection ramps to the east and westbound Beltway, respectively, while also adding a southbound collector distributor road.
“The Centennial Bowl will improve accessibility, mobility and safety for residents and businesses in northwest Las Vegas,” said Las Vegas City Councilman Steven Ross, who represents District 6. “It has been a great collaborative partnering effort to make this project a reality.”
Planned enhancements call for a 60-ft-tall, 2,500-ft-long bridge that equals roughly seven football fields laid end to end; it will cross over two major freeways linking westbound 215 to southbound U.S. 95. Other upgrades consist of placing 8,200 ft of storm drainage, or the equivalent length of 87 contiguous basketball courts, while adding new signs, lighting and landscaping.
“This project helps create a reliable transportation network that enhances cultural and economic access in the northwest valley,” said Clark County Commissioner Larry Brown, who represents District C. “It establishes a new gateway corridor for the Centennial area.”
The project provides an economic boost, too, creating 607 direct, indirect and induced jobs. The improvements are scheduled to finish in the spring of 2017. Construction is being underwritten through a combination of funds, including monies from the Federal Highway Administration ($19.5 million), state of Nevada ($6.4 million), fuel revenue indexing ($6.4 million), and the Clark County Regional Flood Control District ($14.4 million).
