Cheyenne Interchange to be rebuilt

Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998 | 10:15 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state Department of Transportation said Wednesday it has awarded a $25.4 million contract to Frehner Construction Co. of North Las Vegas for a new Interstate 15 interchange at Cheyenne Avenue.

Groundbreaking should take place by the end of March for the project that will take slightly more than two years.

"This will be a big improvement in moving traffic in the area," said Scott Magruder, NDOT public information officer. Ten years ago there were 8,700 vehicles a day traveling on the northbound lanes of I-15 at Cheyenne -- today there are 14,000.

The interchange has outlived its life cycle, Magruder said.

The job calls for demolishing the existing I-15 interchange and the Union Pacific Railroad structure. A new interchange will include a triple left turn exit for northbound cars to get on Cheyenne.

Cheyenne Avenue from Losee Road to Civic Center Drive will be widened from four to six lanes. Magruder said there are now 31,000 vehicles traveling that section of road a day, up from 20,000 reported 10 years ago.

A sound wall also will be constructed on the east side of the freeway.

The project will provide additional access to I-15 and Cheyenne which should alleviate traffic backups, Magruder said.