I-15/Tropicana Interchange Design-Build Project

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Nevada Department of Transportation awarded Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. the design-build contract for a major upgrade at the I-15 and Tropicana Avenue interchange, one of the key gateways to the Las Vegas Strip and a vital link to some of the valley’s largest employment hubs. The project features the construction of a three-level, tight diamond interchange at Tropicana Avenue and a new flyover connecting southbound I-15 to eastbound Tropicana Avenue, all designed with minimal right-of-way impact.

Key elements of the project include replacing and expanding the existing interchange structures to accommodate future I-15 widening and adding new through lanes and turn lanes on the Tropicana Avenue bridge. The existing flyover was replaced to ensure seamless connectivity while widening the bridge over I-15. Additionally, the project separated Dean Martin Drive’s through movements from the Tropicana Avenue intersection by converting it to two, right-in/right-out intersections, allowing north-south traffic to pass under Tropicana Avenue without disrupting flow.

To minimize traffic impacts of the bridge demolition work, the project team completed the demolition during an eight-day shutdown window. During the shutdown, crews closed Tropicana Avenue and took down a portion of the flyover bridge during the first five days. They also shut down I-15 completely and demolished half of Tropicana over the I-15 bridge during the last three days. The work involved an intense level of planning and effort to demolish, remove the steel bridge girders, and clean up the rubble from the bridges in just eight days.

The strategic enhancements from this project will not only improve traffic flow, but also position the interchange for future growth and expansion, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the Las Vegas Valley.