NDOT to celebrate Project Neon's 'Grand Finale' August 8
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Nevada's largest and most-expensive public works project will finally come to a close on Thursday afternoon.
Ground broke for the $1 billion project in April of 2016, and residents have been feeling the growing pains as parts of the the I-15 and U.S. 95 regularly closed down over the course of three years. Major events such as The Big Squeeze, Car-Nado and Pave-A-Palooza often forced drivers to avoid highways altogether as the project enhanced nearly 4 miles of Interstate 15 -- currently the busiest stretch of highway in Nevada.
Currently, 300,000 cars drive through the are every day, and that number is expected to double in the next 20 years. The goal of the project was to alleviate traffic on the I-15 between Sahara Avenue and the Spaghetti Bowl. It also added an HOV lane, which is intended to lower traffic by encouraging carpooling.
At 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the 'Grand Finale' will celebrate the 'substantial completion' of the project at the Southeast corner of Northbound U.S. 95 and the 215 Beltway. NDOT Director Kristina Swallow, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus, and FHWA Director of Field Services West Peter Osborn will be at the celebration.
