So what is the Boulder City Bypass/I-11 project?
Updated: December 2018
In short, it will be a 4 lane interstate highway connecting Las Vegas, Nevada with Phoenix, Arizona and add to the series of highways that make up the NAFTA Agreement connecting Mexico to Canda through the United States.
Phase one started at the western end of I-515 or better known as Nevada Hwy 95/93 in Henderson, near the Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino and ends on the eastern boundary on U.S. 93, approximately 4.7 miles east of downtown Boulder City. This will be managed by the Nevada Department of Transportation(NDOT).
Phase two went from the end of phase one and ends approximately 12 miles later at the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge interchange and is being managed by The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). Both phases are being built simultaneously with construction expected completed in 2018
Las Vegas and Phoenix are the only two cities in the nation with populations of more than one million that are not linked by an interstate. When complete, Interstate 11 (I-11) will enhance travel and commerce between Arizona and Nevada then eventually to Canada and Mexico.
This will remove approximately 34,000 vehicles each day having to go through Boulder City. From Las Vegas, it will mean no more stopping and turning at a controlled intersection into downtown Boulder City with a small hill to climb followed by a long downhill drive trying to maintain a slower than highway speed.
From the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, this will mean not having to climb a long hill upwards doing near residential speeds with a merge at the top with almost daily traffic congestions in both directions. A lot of noise as trucks try to shift going up and shift frequently going downhill. Plus a lot of idling vehicles and a lot of weekend congestion.
The business district of Boulder City and the small shops and businesses that are the lifeblood of the tourist town will be removed from view by the travelers of the new highway. We need to get to these travelers before they get onto the new highway and let them know they really need to look not only for the awesome beauty of the mountains and the lake, but for that turn off to downtown Boulder City. To relax and enjoy the comforts only a small town can offer them.
More to Follow:
NDOT’s website for the project: www.bouldercitybypass.com/
I-11 Webcams near Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge: http://i-11nv.com/webcams/