$340 million needed for projects on southern I-15

Wednesday, July 28, 1999 | 11:08 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The southern part of the Las Vegas Valley is expected to grow rapidly in the next 20-30 years, and the state Transportation Department Tuesday unveiled a projection that says nearly $340 million worth of Interstate 15 construction is needed to keep up.

"The south part of the valley will explode," Kent L. Cooper, program development manager for the department, said. "We have got to get a handle on it."

Land use plans show several large master planned communities, 14 new casinos along south Las Vegas Boulevard and an increase in tourist traffic from Southern California. The population of the whole valley is expected to grow from an estimated 1.2 million to 2.7 million.

The state's $339.6 million projection of freeway needs is included in an overall transportation assessment calling for more than $1 billion in streets and highways in the area, which encompasses part of unincorporated Clark County, the Enterprise Township and Henderson.

Cooper told the state Transportation Board, which accepted the study, that more details will be added later.

The biggest single state project -- $196 million -- is widening of Interstate 15 from Tropicana Avenue to Lake Mead Drive to 10 lanes.

The blueprint also calls for widening I-15 to eight lanes from Lake Mead Drive to Sloan at a cost of $57.3 million.

Also proposed is widening the Blue Diamond Road to six lanes from Hualapai to Rainbow at a cost of $11.6 million and Blue Diamond from Buffalo to Rainbow to eight lanes for an estimated cost of $4.6 million.

There would be interchange locations on I-15 at Pebble Road, Gomer Road-Silverado Ranch Road, Cactus Avenue, Starr Avenue and Bruner Avenue.

The study recommends the department start considering "significant right-of-way preservation on all corridors..."

In addition to the state money, Clark County would have to finance about $785 million and Henderson $102 million.

In other action, the board:

* Agreed to begin condemnation of a Denny's Restaurant on 1.35 acres needed for reconstruction of a portion of the I-15-Sahara Avenue interchange. Denny's Realty wants $3.1 million for the property, and the state has offered $1.8 million.

Owners claim the franchise should be valued in the state's offer. But Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Hutchins said the state doesn't buy the business ... it buys the land. He said the owners still have the Denny's franchise and can move it to another location. And the state does provide for re-location costs.

* Relinquished to Henderson a portion of State Route 146 between Green Valley Parkway and Pecos Road. The department said it didn't need the property with the opening of I-215. Also gave up a part of a 36.1 acre parcel to the city of Las Vegas located south of former El Campo Grande Avenue and north of U.S. 95-Ann Road interchange. The city wants it for realignment of Buffalo Drive and Desert Breeze Avenue.

* Agreed to put out to public auction three parcels on I-515 near Rancho Drive and Desert Rose Drive in Henderson. An appraisal will be made of the property before it is put up to public bid.