By Jeff Pope (contact)

Fri, Nov 14, 2008 (midnight)

Residents are being asked to give their thoughts on Interstate 15 projects in Silverado that include new interchanges at Bermuda Road and Cactus and Starr avenues.

The Nevada Department of Transportation is hosting an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at John R. Hummel Elementary School, 9800 Placid St., to gather comments and release the findings of its environmental assessment.

The meeting covers proposed projects from Tropicana Avenue to Sloan Road, a 12-mile distance. The projects are intended to relieve congestion in the interstate corridor.

At the southern end of the corridor, average daily two-way traffic volumes on I-15 are forecast to increase from 42,000 vehicles in 2003 to 156,000 by 2030.

At the north end, average daily volumes are expected to rise from 223,000 vehicles to 430,000 during the same period.

Options include adding travel lanes, restructuring the I-15 and Interstate 215 interchange, collector roads and park-and-ride facilities. The project is also studying alternatives to improve approximately eight miles of Las Vegas Boulevard, between St. Rose Parkway and Sunset Road.

The preliminary estimated cost of the project is $240 million and construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in late summer 2009, said Bob Mckenzie, NDOT spokesman.

For more information on the meeting, contact Julie Maxey at (775) 888-7171.

Jeff Pope can be reached at 990-2688 or jeff.pope@hbcpub.com.