The Nevada Department of Transportation kicked off the “next phase” of its “Centennial Bowl” interchange project on Jan. 22; a project aimed at revamping the connection between U.S. Highway 95 and 215 Beltway in northwest Las Vegas. This construction portion of this project is valued at $61.5 million, the agency added.

[Above graphic by the Nevada DOT.]

“This interchange connection greatly enhances traffic, mobility and motorist safety while establishing a new gateway corridor for the Centennial area,” said Nevada DOT Director Rudy Malfabon in a statement. “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.”

He noted that the Centennial Bowl project aims to remove part of the Oso Blanca Road ramp and the old north-to-west loop, thereby making room for three new freeway flyover ramp connections, including: eastbound 215 Beltway to U.S. Highway 95 southbound; southbound U.S. Highway 95 to eastbound 215 Beltway; and northbound U.S. Highway 95 to 215 Beltway westbound.

The agency noted that flyover ramps enable direct freeway-to-freeway connections while still maintaining highway travel speeds for greater efficiency and safety. Also, the structures require little right-of-way and eliminate the current stop-and-go surface street travel currently needed when navigating the interchange, Nevada DOT pointed out.

“This project helps create a reliable transportation network that enhances cultural and economic access in the northwest valley,” said Clark County Commissioner Larry Brown, who represents District C, in a statement. “It improves accessibility, mobility and safety for residents and businesses.”

Nevada DOT said this portion of the Centennial Bowl project entails building the state’s second longest bridge – a 75-foot-tall by 39-foot-wide concrete box girder structure that will measure 2,635 feet or the equivalent of seven football fields. The two-lane flyover bridge will connect north-to-west freeway traffic, with plans also call for constructing a south-to-east flyover as well.