I love covering traffic for a living… it’s not only fun… but it’s an ongoing “issue.” As one major construction project comes to a end, there’s always a new one on the horizon.

The 215 & I-15 interchange in the south is a major problem… especially during the afternoon commute (from about 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.). 215 westbound is bumper to bumper every week day afternoon from the I-15 to Decatur. During the morning commute, it’s bumper to bumper from Rainbow to Decatur. The reason… is the low number of lanes around South Decatur.

I get email after email about this area! People want the county to open up an extra lane… or two or three.

Here is the reason behind the congestion, according to the Clark County Public Works:

The 215 is essentially three lanes from just east of Decatur Boulevard to the I-515 in Henderson. The main reasoning for the two lanes west of Decatur to the west is the initial environmental assess. Plus, the bridge structures at Decatur Boulevard and the railroad crossing cannot safely accommodate three travel lanes in each direction at this time.

We have a project in the works which will widen the bridge structures. Once the bridge structures are widened and we receive an updated environmental assess, we will then restripe the 215 from Decatur to at least Charleston Boulevard to three travel lanes. We are hoping to accomplish this by the end of 2008.

So…. that project is about to begin.And NOW, the real complaints will come. All the people that have begged for this to happen, will probably find themselves more frustrated than ever! Lane closures will only make the commute even slower. YOU WILL HAVE TO ADD MORE TIME TO YOUR COMMUTE! I say this in caps because I need you to get the point.

If you leave earlier you will be: less stressed… on time for work or school… less angry and frustrated at the drivers and road work around you.

It’s as simple as that.

Start your early routine NOW! Get used to it…. so that one day you aren’t driving and all of a sudden… eeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrk…. the traffic comes to a stop.

Here is what we know so far about the project, which started Monday 10/22:

The county is starting its improvement/upgrade project for the 215 between Decatur Boulevard and I-15. This project will primarily feature the widening of the bridge structures for Decatur Boulevard and the railroad grade separation within this area.

 

As the project finishes up, this section of the 215 will be restriped to accommodate three travel lanes in each direction. if construction efforts go as planned, this project should be finished by the end of January 2009.

 

This $9.6 million-dollar project is just one of three construction projects to upgrade the 215 within the southwest segment of the valley. Two other projects will make similar improvements along the 215 – - one between Decatur Boulevard and Hualapai Way and the other from Hualapai Way to Charleston Boulevard.

When these three projects are finished, 215 motorists will have three travel lanes in each direction from Charleston Boulevard to the 515/215 interchange near Henderson. All three of these projects are slated to be finished by the end of 2008 or early 2009. While these projects are being done, motorists, who routinely use this segment of the 215, can expected to encounter various lane restrictions until the projects are completed.

 

Drivers who can use an alternate route, are highly encouraged to do so. by using an alternate route, motorists will help reduce the area’s traffic congestion and possibly avoid any potential delays.

Good Luck!

Posted by Dayna Roselli

Categories: Travel