Projects to slow traffic on route to California

Mathis Winkler

Monday, Oct. 8, 2001 | 9:45 a.m.

They will make for a smoother ride along Interstate 15 in the long run, but transportation officials in California and Nevada are warning drivers between Los Angeles and Las Vegas that major construction projects first will slow traffic in the coming years.

By spring most of the 145 miles between the California-Nevada border and Victorville, Calif., will be under construction and cause inevitable traffic problems.

That's why people working on the project are trying to get drivers to avoid peak traffic times and days.

"People should take a look and see if they can vary their travel times," said Bob McKenzie, a spokesman for the Nevada Department of Transportation. Along with California Department of Transportation officials, McKenzie briefed media representatives on the road projects on Friday.

On the Nevada side a $22.5 million southbound freeway widening project between Jean and the border, which is currently under construction, is not expected to cause major delays, because the two existing lanes will remain open.

But $350 million worth of pavement repairs and truck lane construction between the border and Barstow, Calif., and a widening project between Barstow and Victorville are likely to cause delays.

"Is there going to be congestion? Absolutely," said Tom Skancke, who works as a consultant for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Resort Association and has followed plans for the widening of I-15 for 11 years.

"But if we can all be patient, it's going to be a great highway when they're done," Skancke said.

He added that the widening of the freeway was crucial, since it serves as Southern Nevada's lifeline by bringing in tourists as well as goods from the Los Angeles area.

And goods and tourists will keep coming despite the delays, Skancke said.

"They're going to be stuck in traffic with or without construction," he said, adding that officials hoped drivers will try to avoid peak traveling times.

"But are people going to stop coming to Las Vegas? Absolutely not," Skancke said.

A majority of the widening projects are expected to be completed by fall of 2004.