Las Vegas Boulevard getting complete makeover near downtown

The ongoing $125 million construction project to improve a 2.5-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in downtown is doing more than repaving the roads and sidewalks.

The project is also replacing curbs, gutters, traffic signals, water and sewer pipes, and storm drains. It’s much needed, considering some of the infrastructure was initially installed in the 1940s, officials said.

“Las Vegas Boulevard was definitely in need of a complete makeover. The infrastructure along (Las Vegas Boulevard) is some of the oldest in the city,” Natasha Shahani, a spokeswoman for the city of Las Vegas, wrote in an email.

The three-year project, the largest public works project in city history, is expected to be completed in spring of 2023 and is the product of more than 10 years of planning, officials said.

It will widen Las Vegas Boulevard north of Sahara Avenue, bringing better lighting and installing safety bollards. About 200 trees will be planted in the project, creating a tree-lined look on the stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard leading to the heart of downtown.

“All of the aspects of this project make for an extensive design. It’s essentially multiple projects in one, which, overall, it took a lot of coordination and hard work to get the project to construction,” Shahani said.

Most work is on Las Vegas Boulevard from Stewart to Sahara avenues, but also includes Bridger Avenue from 13th Street to Las Vegas Boulevard, and Third Street from Utah to Colorado avenues. The project, which started in the spring, has brought delays for motorists as traffic each way on Las Vegas Boulevard is one lane in each direction — depending on the stage of the project.

Officials say north- and southbound drivers can avoid Las Vegas Boulevard construction by taking Maryland and Grand Central parkways or Fourth and Sixth streets.

The work is funded by the Southern Nevada Regional Transportation Commission’s Fuel Revenue Indexing tax, the city, the Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

The city sends weekly email updates on the project. Join the list at Lvbinfo@lasvegaspaving.com.

STEVE MARCUS Northbound traffic makes its way through construction cones on Las Vegas Boulevard on Dec. 22. Planning for the construction started 12 years ago and broke ground in late April. The project is expected to be completed by May 2023.

STEVE MARCUS Traffic controllers stand by an excavator while roadwork is done Dec. 22 on Las Vegas Boulevard at Bridger Avenue in downtown Las Vegas.

COURTESY Renderings of the Las Vegas Boulevard Improvement project depict the view as seen from Las Vegas Boulevard at Fremont Street looking north (above), and as seen from Las Vegas Boulevard at Gass Avenue looking north (below).

COURTESY A rendering depicts the plan as seen from Las Vegas Boulevard at Charleston Boulevard looking north.

COURTESY A rendering depicts the plan as seen from Las Vegas Boulevard at Oakey Boulevard looking north.

STEVE MARCUS Roadwork is done on Bridger Avenue at Las Vegas Boulevard.

STEVE MARCUS Traffic cones line the roadway on Las Vegas Boulevard.