U.S. 95-Summerlin Parkway ramp reopening, but don’t celebrate yet

By Kyle Hansen (contact)

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

After four months, the ramp from southbound U.S. 95 to Summerlin Parkway is expected to reopen Wednesday.

But before motorists celebrate, construction on the Tenaya Way overpass will require more closures of the parkway.

Summerlin Parkway will be closed in both directions from the U.S. 95 interchange to Buffalo Drive nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday night.

In addition, westbound lanes of the parkway will be closed during those hours on Sunday night and the eastbound lanes will be closed Wednesday night.

The flyover from northbound U.S. 95 to the parkway will also be closed nightly Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The ramp from southbound U.S. 95 to Summerlin Parkway, which has been closed since June, is expected to open before 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Motorists traveling from northbound U.S. 95 to Summerlin Parkway can take the Rainbow Boulevard southbound exit, turn west on Westcliff Drive, then north on Buffalo Drive to go westbound the Summerlin Parkway.

Those driving east on Summerlin Parkway can take the Buffalo Drive northbound exit and then go east on Lake Mead Boulevard to get to northbound U.S. 95.

Motorists traveling from Summerlin Parkway to southbound U.S. 95 can take the Buffalo Drive southbound exit, then go east on Westcliff Drive to northbound Rainbow Boulevard to get to U.S. 95.

The $7.9 million, 12-month Tenaya Way overpass and Bonanza Trail project began in January and will connect the two sides of the road over Summerlin Parkway.

The project includes retaining walls, median islands, a pedestrian underpass and other improvements to the area between Westcliff Drive and Washington Avenue.

In addition to the overpass, the Bonanza Trail, a 1,350-foot biking and walking path on the north side of Summerlin Parkway, is being built to connect Bill Briare Family Park to the Kellogg-Zaher Sports Complex.

Sewer work to close lanes on Strip, Sahara, Swenson

Work on underground sewer lines will impact traffic at the Strip’s intersection with Sahara Avenue for two weeks.

The Clark County Water District is expected to close two westbound lanes on Sahara through the intersection with Las Vegas Boulevard, leaving just one westbound lane open on Sahara.

Because the work is in the intersection, southbound traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard will be reduced to one lane while crossing Sahara.

Crews will be working 24 hours a day at the busy intersection through at least Nov. 6, the district said.

Another sewer project will close lanes on Swenson Street near the resort corridor beginning Monday.

Two southbound lanes of Swenson will be closed from Sierra Vista Drive to Twain Avenue until at least Nov. 6.

Southbound traffic will shift to one of the northbound lanes, leaving just one lane open in each direction.

Crews are scheduled to work 24 hours per day, but no sewer service disruptions are expected during either project.

For both projects, motorists can get information and traffic updates from the district’s hot line at 853-1333 or its Web site, www.cleanwaterteam.com.

No commercial tests at Donovan DMV for two days

Remodeling of the Department of Motor Vehicles’ North Las Vegas office will mean commercial drivers will not be able to complete the written knowledge tests during two days this week.

Work at the office at 4110 Donovan Way, near Interstate 15 and Craig Road, will require the testing area to be closed Monday and Tuesday.

The driving skills tests will still be offered during those days at the office.

The other four DMV offices in the valley will not be affected, but these offices do not offer commercial license testing other than the hazardous materials test.

The remodeling includes installation of a new information counter near the testing area, the relocation of the driver license camera and the addition of two new customer service windows.