‘Dropicana’: What’s left and what can Las Vegas drivers expect?

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Construction across the Las Vegas valley seems to be a never-ending process to many drivers. However, there is some relief in sight as the $385 million I-15 Tropicana Project nears completion.

“Dividers and cones on the road are everywhere and we are a growing city with more and more traffic everyday,” local driver, Otis Winchester shared with 8 News Now.

Drivers continue to navigate the roadways as the I-15 Tropicana Project, known to most as “Dropicana,” continues to cause road and lane closures. Kelsey McFarland with the Nevada Department of Transportation shared some insight on what drivers can expect as the project nears completion this fall.

“We are still in phases three, four and five, which involves widening the roads on the west side of Tropicana,” McFarland shared.

There have been some delays, but nothing too drastic.

“We have had some full site shutdowns for major events in Las Vegas like the Super Bowl and Formula 1. Those events were coordinated and scheduled after our timeline was announced so that pushed us back a bit,” McFarland added.

The main reason for the construction of the Tropicana bridge was to bring it up to code by raising its height — a requirement made by the Federal Government

However, with I-15 down to four lanes for several months, all five lanes will be back open to full capacity by this spring.

Drivers like Winchester were pleased to see it and eager to use the freeway again.

“That would be a beautiful thing to see it all complete. I-15 is our lifeline in and out of the city,” Winchester shared.

NDOT wanted drivers to know about “Joey Bishop Drive” which will be a new roadway to and from Allegiant stadium. A lot of drivers take Dean Martin so this will be another option for commuters. That road is set to open sometime this spring.

For drivers who use the new Harmon on-ramp, NDOT stated that it was not built and is not wide enough for semi or large trucks. Sharing that they’ve seen a lot of these vehicles get stuck creating traffic jams for other drivers.

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