Construction on Sahara Avenue expected to cause slow traffic

Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 | 2 a.m.

RTC Sahara Line Groundbreaking

Sen. Harry Reid speaks with the media during the groundbreaking for the Sahara bus rapid transit line at the Gaudin Ford dealership in Las Vegas Thursday, February 24, 2011.

Sahara Express bus project

Traffic on Sahara Avenue is likely to be worse than normal during the next two weeks while the final paving work on the road is completed.

Crews have been working on the road since February to install bus-only lanes for a new express transit route.

The final stages of replacing the roadway surface are now under way, the Regional Transportation Commission said. Since paving requires certain temperatures, the work is being done during the day instead of at night, likely resulting in traffic delays for the next few weeks.

Crews will be paving from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the commission said. Construction flaggers will be on the road to direct traffic.

The current phase of paving is to take place between Rainbow Boulevard and Durango Drive for the next two weeks. Crews will also be paving between Hualapai Way and Durango Drive on Monday.

In addition, traffic signal upgrades along the route will require some signals on Sahara to be turned off during some overnight hours from Sunday to Thursday.

The signals on Sahara at the following streets will be turned off: Sixth Street, Richfield Boulevard, Spanish Oaks Drive, Rye Street, Torrey Pines Drive, Paradise Road, Interstate 15, Rancho Drive, Palace Station, Paseo Del Prado and Teddy Drive.

These signals will be off from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., during which time Metro Police will direct traffic at the intersections.