The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) broke ground Tuesday on the $73 million next phase of the “Centennial Bowl” interchange, located in northwest Las Vegas where U.S. Highway 95 meets the 215 Beltway.
During this phase of the project, the old north-to-west loop and part of the Oso Blanca Road ramp will be removed. This will make room for three new freeway flyover ramp connections: northbound U.S. Highway 95 to 215 Beltway westbound, southbound U.S. Highway 95 to eastbound 215 Beltway, and eastbound 215 Beltway to U.S. Highway 95 southbound.
Flyover ramps require little right-of-way, eliminating stop-and-go traffic when navigating the interchange, and enable direct freeway-to-freeway connections while still maintaining highway travel speeds.
The two-lane north-to-west flyover bridge will be state’s second-longest bridge at 2,635 feet long.
“This interchange connection greatly enhances traffic, mobility and motorist safety while establishing a new gateway corridor for the Centennial area,” NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon said. “Currently, over 107,500 vehicles daily travel the ramps and freeways at U.S. 95 and the 215 Beltway, and it’s only expected to grow in the future.”
Other improvements include landscaping, lighting and drainage upgrades.
The project is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2021.