U.S. 95 interchange to be discussed

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 | 10:16 a.m.

Henderson Public Works, with participation of federal and state transportation officials, will hold a public meeting tonight to discuss a planned interchange for U.S. 95 between Sunset Road and Russell Road, near Galleria Drive. The meeting is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive, Room C, Henderson.

The interchange would provide highway access to the busy Galleria commercial corridor and help the often congested traffic flow on Sunset Road, officials said.

"It's going to help alleviate traffic on Sunset," Joe Damiani, Public Works project engineer, said.

Scott Magruder, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Transportation, said Henderson would take the lead on the project, estimated to cost $25.3 million.

Damiani said tonight's meeting is part of the environmental review required under federal law for a project affecting an interstate highway. U.S. 95 in Las Vegas is also Interstate 515.

Construction is possible in 2007 or 2008 and would likely take at least 18 months, he said.

Right now, the land on both sides of the highway at the proposed interchange is vacant, he said.

State and local officials will be on hand to take comment from members of the public at the meeting. People also can submit comments through May 21 by mail to Daryl James, chief of Environmental Services, Nevada Department of Transportation, 1263 S. Stewart St., Carson City, NV 89712, or on the Web at nevadadot.com/pub-involvement/meetings.