By: Las Vegas Now Staff
UPDATED August 19, 2008:
Clark County Commission members gave the green light to open the Lake Mead interchange in the Summerlin area, even though it was not scheduled to open until 2010.
County Commissioners Chip Maxfield and Susan Brager asked to have an earlier opening considered after receiving numerous complaints that, although the interchange was essentially done, it was not open for public use.
The opening had originally been delayed because of concerns voiced by some residents that it would be unsafe to open it before the Far Hills and Cheyenne interchanges were completed.
“I think there were decisions made in years past to build other parts of the Beltway and there was probably some good reason for that. But now that it’s been constructed, there’s not a good reason not to open it to the public,” said County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury. He also added that surrounding neighborhoods, such as Sun City, need to be protected.
“I think sometimes our job is difficult but what were supposed to do is what’s in the public interest. This would benefit the community and we spent significant public dollars and we need to finish the job,” said Commissioner Rory Reid.
The interchange could open within a few weeks.
UPDATED August 12, 2008:
Based on the complaints and questions Clark County Commission has been receiving, Commissioners Chip Maxfield and Susan Brager will be asking their fellow commissioners to open the interchange at a board meeting on August 19th.
“It’s clear from the calls, letters and emails that I have received that the public thinks we need to open this interchange as soon as possible,” said Maxfield, who represents the area, in a statement released by the county. “I wasn’t convinced that was the case two years ago when we held public hearing. The feedback at that time was mixed. Today, from a public policy perspective, I think it’s the right decision…The sooner we open this interchange, the better off the traveling public will be.”
Robert Hall, a Sun City Summerlin resident and president of the Nevada Environmental Coalition sent a statement to KLAS stating that because Lake Mead Boulevard is “steeply downhill” with a “blind curve,” that opening it to traffic will be dangerous, especially to those who travel the area in golf carts.
Hall also stated that opening the bridge will mean Sun City Residents will be exposed to more air and noise pollution and increased crime “against those who can defend themselves the least.”
Brager agrees with Maxfield in that the bridge needs to be opened.
“We need to do all we can to keep traffic moving and opening this interchange will do that. That’s a benefit not only for our citizens, but for our police and fire departments, who count on uncongested roads to improve their response times,” Brager explained.
Not all Sun City Summerlin residents think that the bridge should remain closed, but Clark County Public Works as well as the commission did not hear their side of the argument until the bridge began to look finished, but was still not open.
The Clark County Commission meeting will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Aug. 19 and is open to the public. If you have an argument for or against the bridge opening, you can comment below, attend the meeting or contact Maxfield and Brager.
Posted July 29, 2008:
Three to five calls have been coming in every day to the Clark County Department of Public Works about the Lake Mead and 215 interchange in northwest Las Vegas. Although the bridge will be complete in two weeks, it won’t be ready to use for two years and that has some wondering why.
Sheila McCanna was part of a group of Sun City Summerlin residents that reached a verbal agreement to keep the bridge closed until construction at the Far Hills and Cheyenne interchanges is done. Sun City residents did not want their neighborhood used as a shortcut around construction.
“Until there’s development on the west side, what reason is there to open a bridge?” McCanna asked.
However some residents want the bridge open for easier access to the 215, but public works and planning commission say they never heard from these people until recently, after an agreement to hold off the opening was already reached.
“We’re of a belief from the public works standpoint that anytime we build a roadway structure, or a bridge structure that we like to see it put into use. We believe that people will use the interchange once it’s opened, both because you have right now, you have Far Hills and Summerlin Parkway that are under construction, so you have a little bit of congestion down there. Opening up the Lake Mead might relieve some of that congestion,” Bobby Shelton said.
Shelton suggests that if you have a complaint and live in the area that you contact County Commissioner Chip Maxfield. If enough complaints come in public works says the agreement could be changed.
I find it interesting that public works claims no one complained about the Lake Mead interchange not opening before they made a deal with Sun City. That’s because everyone was waiting for the construction to finish and it would be open. It’s very selfish of Sun City to block its use for their personal reasons. With the closure of Far Hills and construction around Summerlin Pkwy all happening at the same time, there is no valid excuse to not open Lake Mead to relieve the stress of thousands of residents who live in the area but are not residents of Sun City. They have no right to dictate to public works projects just like no other area does.
Comment by Maria McCready — July 30, 2008 @ 9:19 am
Isn’t it taxpayer money being put to good use after due deligence. How can the bridge not be open?!
If it was needed later, it would have been constructed later!
The bridge helps not just the citizens but also law enforcement and emergency services!
So, I am all for the bridge opening up now.
Thank you.
Comment by Sarath — July 30, 2008 @ 10:28 am
It also makes no sense that the RTC and CCPW would have agreed “10 years ago” as they claim, with Sun City residents that the interchange wouldn’t open until after the Summerlin Pkw / 215 interchange was complete. If that was the agreement, then why fast-track the Lake Mead interchange, only to chain it up?! Use the money and time to build the SUmmerlin Pkwy / 215 interchange sooner!!!
In other words, if CCPW & RTC knew 10 years ago that they wouldn’t open the Lake Mead interchange, then BUILD THE SUMMERLIN PKWY INTERCHANGE FIRST! Duh!
This is just more evidence of the double-secret meetings that RTC and CCPW always claim to have had where “everyone was informed and agreed”, yet no actual members of the public ever knew about the meeting or had a chance to input their comments.
I’m all for progress — I want nice safe roads opened ASAP; but I see a lot of hanky-panky by these government entities. I heard they got in trouble with the federal government for not doing proper environmental compliance despite taking federal land and money for the beltway. The federal government made them repay the money. There’s something really fishy here!
Comment by Bob from Summerlin — July 30, 2008 @ 10:45 am
Very interesting, special interest strikes again. I do not live in Summerlin. (naughty me). However I do have family and friends who live there. I shop and have my hair done in this area. I, too use the 215 Beltway. The last time I checked this is a public roadway paid for by taxpayers. Why is there a debate on this issue? Open the road!!! It is time Las Vegas officals think of everyone,not just the money people.
Comment by LouLou — July 30, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
I really am not surprised. I am baffled by how the roads seem to be finished today and then closed tomorrow for repairs. It seems no thought goes into these projects at all. Take the 215 west for example. It opened with two lanes going each direction between Durango and Decatur. Then it was closed to widen it. Why wasn’t it made wide enought to begin with? It’s not like they didn’t have the space.
Comment by Donie — July 30, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Why is everyone scratching their heads with perplexity? Obviously, there are some “suits” (Public Works affiliates) that live in Uppererlin and they don’t want the Valley’s filth infiltrating their neighborhoods….lmao! I fell off my chair in laughter when a Southern Highlands woman was near tears in discussion of the rental properties available in her uppercrust neighborhood…dear lord.
Comment by Dana — July 30, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
All of the remarks above are based on incorrect assumptions. The bridge was always on the master plan to serve development on the west side of 215. The Sewer and water main connections were all on the East side of the 215 when Pulte started to prepare the land immediately to the west. These services are incorporated into the Bridge Structure whic hyad to be completed BEFORE the Cheyenne, Far Hills and Summerlin Parkway construction. There was nothing nefarious or under-handed about the timing. It happens that the housing crises has caused the Pulte development to be put on “hold” although the ground preparation has been completed.
Not one of the responses, so far, recognizes the danger to Sun City Residents who are elderly people, many of whom are in golf-carts. We are already experiencing many “visitors” who are cutting through the 30 mph community at 50 and 60 mph; some don’t stop at the stop signs. There have been a few awful accidents.
It’s appropriate for the City and County to respond to our concerns as much as commuters who want to use the 215 access. We have a right to be concerned about the increased traffic cutting through our 30 mph community.
It’s one thing to voice your desire and request the 215 access be open when completed. It’s another thing to suspect the the County and City of stupidity or underhanded dealings.
Most of the comments I’ve read illustrate an increasingly selfish world where any government decision is stupid or suspicious when it doesn’t meet their desires. If you would take the time to find out the reasons behind the actions I asure you, relative to this issue, you would find very reasonable answers.
Sheila July 30, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Comment by Sheila McCanna — July 30, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Looks like Ms McCanna got the last word again…
After visting the county Assessor’s web site, it became apparent why Ms McCanna wants to put off opening the bridge for as long as possible. Lake Mead is closed and it’s nice and quite. The only stupidity I see here is someone who buys a house against a 6 lane street (open or closed).
Comment by CK — July 31, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
It is absolutely absurd that a small number of residents can hold sway over the roads that we all pay for. Numerous times it has been mentioned that many of the residents use golf carts to get around and opening the roadway will make it unsafe for them. These residents need to find another mode of transportation or find a way to adjust. Just as all the horse owners used to enjoy the open desert surrounding their homes in which to ride - that too has been whittled away due to growth.
This small group has fought over this exchange since day one - it is time they realize that every area of the valley is suffering due to growth. And their community is the entire valley, not just Sun City Summerlin.
Comment by Liz — August 12, 2008 @ 10:35 am
Open The Interchange!
Here we go again…not in my backyard.
The added convenience and commute savings will positively impact the entire neighborhood Summerlin and Sun City.
As far as safety, those who violate traffic laws on the books should be cited and prosecuted.
Comment by A Hagan — August 12, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Clearly all laws must be followed by drivers on the public roads, and any required enforcement should be in place, especially during the transition.
There must have been disclosure of this project to Sun City residents, so there is no basis for any arguments about the use of the structure at this point. It is a public roadway, paid with public funds.
I live off Cliff Shadow and must pass the site daily. If it were to remain closed, it certainly would not be right to maintain it as a contruction zone with reduced speed limits (currently 35 - 45mph).
Minimally, we should have nominal speeds returned to that portion of 215 and a change in status from being a construction zone. Allowing it to remain in a semi-construction state is dangerous. Optimally, if the project is done, it should be open for use. Sun City knew it was coming; we paid for it; it should be used.
Comment by Theodore Hovig — August 12, 2008 @ 11:20 am
I was interveiw on monday morning aug 18th by eyewitness new ms.calvert about the 215 and lake mead interchange.Is there anyway you can send me the tape,I would really appreciate.thanks ps address 10429 villa ridge dr las vegas nv 89134 suncity.
Comment by suwan king — August 20, 2008 @ 7:05 am