Las Vegas Beltway

The Las Vegas Beltway (officially named the Bruce Woodbury Beltway) is a 50.3-mile (81.0 km) beltway route circling three-quarters of the Las Vegas Valley in southern Nevada. The Las Vegas Beltway carries two numerical designations. Approximately 11.1 miles (17.9 km) of the highway, from its southern terminus at Interstate 11/Interstate 515/U.S. Route 93/U.S. Route 95 in Henderson west and northwest to Interstate 15, is signed as Interstate 215 (I-215); however, only two distinct portions of this section (I-11 and I-515 to Stephanie Street and Warm Springs Road to I-15), totaling a little over 4.6 miles (7.4 km), are maintained by the Nevada Department of Transportation.[2] Clark County Route 215 (CC 215) composes the remaining 39.2 miles (63.1 km) of this semi-circumferral highway, with the county's Department of Public Works responsible for all construction and maintenance (the county also maintains the 6.7-mile (10.8 km) middle section of the aforementioned southeast leg signed as I-215).

Las Vegas Beltway
Bruce Woodbury Beltway
Interstate 215 in red, County Route 215 in blue
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-15
Maintained by NDOT and Clark County Public Works
Length50.3 mi[1] (81.0 km)
I-215: 11.1 miles (17.9 km)
(NDOT maintains 4.816 miles (7.751 km) of I-215)[2]
CC 215: 39.2 miles (63.1 km)
ExistedApril 17, 1993–present
Component
highways		 I-215 from Henderson to Enterprise
CC 215 from Enterprise to North Las Vegas
Major junctions
Beltway around Las Vegas
CCW end I-11 / I-515 / US 93 / US 95 / SR 564 in Henderson
 
CW end I-15 / US 93 / Tropical Parkway in North Las Vegas
Location
CountiesClark
Highway system
  • Highways in Nevada
← SR 208→ SR 221

The Las Vegas Beltway currently consists of two different road types: freeway and an interim expressway. The beltway is currently a freeway from the I-11 and I-515 interchange in Henderson to just west of US 95 in northwestern Las Vegas. The remainder of the beltway is a mix of freeway and expressway, with several of the expressway sections being upgraded to Interstate freeway standards.

The beltway was planned and constructed by Clark County. This marked the first time in the United States that a county has overseen the construction of an Interstate highway with little to no state or federal funding. Once completely upgraded to a freeway, the CC 215 portion of the beltway will be re-designated I-215 and the entire facility turned over to the Nevada Department of Transportation for maintenance.[3]

Route description
Southern beginning of CC 215, as viewed from the I-15 southbound overpass in 2009
Northeastern beginning of CC 215 in 2015

The Las Vegas Beltway begins in Henderson, at the I-11/I-515/US 93/US 95 interchange, where traffic on westbound State Route 564 (Lake Mead Parkway) defaults onto I-215 west. From here, the beltway primarily follows the former Lake Mead Drive alignment west to the Pecos Road/Saint Rose Parkway (SR 146) interchange. The highway then curves northwest towards McCarran International Airport before turning west to cross under Las Vegas Boulevard and I-15.

As the beltway passes under I-15, it changes from Interstate to county highway still maintaining freeway status as it heads nearly due west. Passing Decatur Boulevard, two one-way frontage roads (which formerly carried the initial beltway facilities) appear on either side of the highway. At Durango Drive, the roadway curves northward. The frontage roads end as the highway reaches Tropicana Avenue, but the freeway continues briefly west and then north again to intersect Charleston Boulevard (SR 159) near Red Rock Canyon. As it passes north through the community of Summerlin (part of the city of Las Vegas), it meets the Summerlin Parkway freeway at a recently upgraded system interchange.

View east at the east end of I-215 in Henderson in 2015

From here, the freeway continues north along the western foothills of Las Vegas to pass behind Lone Mountain. Soon afterward, the beltway curves to the east and downgrades from freeway to an expressway (with two at-grade intersections at US 95 south, Oso Blanca Road and Sky Pointe Drive) after it passes the Durango Drive interchange and intersects US 95 at an interchange currently under construction. From there, the beltway continues as a freeway nearly due east along the alignment of Centennial Parkway before entering northern North Las Vegas at Decatur Boulevard. From there it swings northeast, passing by the large Aliante development before turning east again. Much of the final few miles of the route from here on are in undeveloped land, except near the interchange at North 5th Street. The beltway has additional interchanges at Losee Road, North Pecos Road, and North Lamb Boulevard before it swings southeast and reaches its clockwise terminus at I-15, US 93 and Tropical Parkway at an at-grade diamond interchange just west of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

History
View east at the northeastern end of CC 215 in North Las Vegas in 2015

AASHTO approved the I-215 designation for approximately 18.9 miles (30.4 km) of (then unbuilt) highway, from Tropicana Avenue to US 95 (I-515) on April 17, 1993.[4] As eventually built, this specific portion of the beltway is 19.59 miles (31.53 km) in length.

The southwest corner of CC 215 under construction, as seen from the air in early 2006. The two frontage roads initially carried mainline traffic until the freeway was completed later that year.

Much of the beltway was built completely with local funds and expressway to freeway upgrades have continued to be built without state or federal money (except for the I-515 interchange upgrade). A tax measure voted on by the County residents increased funding for the beltway. As a result, it was expected to be fully upgraded to a freeway by 2013, rather than the previous goal of 2025.[5] However, at present it appears that this target date has slipped back at least a few years.

First reassurance sign along eastbound I-215 in 2015

The first section of I-215 opened to traffic in 1996 from I-15 to Warm Springs Road, including the McCarran Airport Connector and tunnel, which linked McCarran International Airport to southern metro Las Vegas without requiring motorists to use Tropicana Avenue or Russell Road to access the main passenger terminal. The southeast leg of the beltway (except for the I-515 connection) was completed ahead of schedule in 1999, while the northern end was extended from Decatur Boulevard in 1998 to Tropicana Avenue by 2000. The remaining sections in the western and northern legs of the beltway were completed by 2003 – either in their final, full freeway mode or in one of two lesser interim configurations.

I-215 was built on the State Route 146 alignment between a point just east of Exit 6 (Saint Rose Parkway/Pecos Road) and Mile 0 (the Interstate 515/U.S. Route 93/U.S. Route 95 interchange at Lake Mead Parkway, formerly known as Lake Mead Drive). Since the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) does not co-sign state routes along Interstate highways, SR 146 was truncated to its current eastern terminus at I-215. SR 146 was co-signed with I-215 from Pecos Road to I-515/US 93/US 95, even though the state highway designation no longer existed in this section when the freeway was completed. SR 146 signs were removed on I-215.

In 2003, the entire 50.5-mile (81.3 km) long beltway was opened, albeit with three different road types – freeway, limited access expressway and as interim frontage roads – with all the newly opened sections being designated as County Route 215. On August 9, 2006, a section of freeway was completed that allowed the connection of two previously built freeway portions. This meant a continuous stretch of road consisting of about half the road's overall mileage, from the I-515/SR 564 terminus to Charleston Boulevard was now completed to freeway standards.

Roads & Bridges magazine, a national publication that provides technology news and information to the transportation construction industry, named the Las Vegas Beltway as one of the nation's Top Ten Road Projects in 2002.

At the Board of County Commission meeting on March 2, 2004, the beltway was renamed as the Bruce Woodbury Beltway.[1] The Board approved a resolution recognizing Republican Clark County Commissioner Bruce L. Woodbury for his many years and efforts in the future of transportation in the valley.

Recent and future improvements

Construction of the North 5th Street interchange was completed and fully opened to traffic in September 2011. The project's scope included roadway, bridge, drainage and utility improvements along the northern beltway at the intersection of North 5th Street in North Las Vegas.[6] Begun in 2012 and completed in 2014, construction by the Clark County Department of Public Works built the northern beltway segment between Tenaya Way and Decatur Boulevard. The project widened CC 215 to four lanes, built two new interchanges at Jones and Decatur Boulevards and a new bridge to carry Bradley Road over the freeway. Improvements to the beltway were also completed in the southern region of the valley with upgrades between I-15 and Windmill Lane. This project provided one additional travel lane in each direction, auxiliary lanes between interchanges and included the widening of four bridges over I-215 at Paradise, Warm Springs and Robindale roads as well as for the McCarran Airport Connector.[7] Additionally, the beltway from Decatur Blvd to North 5th Street was built out from 2014 to Fall 2016. A new bridge was built for the expected extension of Revere Street and the roadway widened to a four-lane freeway from Decatur Boulevard to North 5th Street.

Construction projects on the 215 Beltway included a conversion of the roadways between Craig and Hualapai to a four-lane freeway with interchanges at Lone Mountain Road and Ann Road and a grade separation for Centennial Parkway[8] and the further improvements to the McCarran Airport Connector with the McCarran Airport Connector 2 project. Additionally, phased construction of the Centennial Bowl system interchange between the Beltway and the US 95 freeway in the northwest valley continues. The NB 95 to EB 215 ramp was completed on May 28, 2016. The WB 215 to SB 95 Flyover ramp opened on July 12, 2017. Additionally, an expanded bridge over Montecito Parkway was also completed in anticipation of the widening of the Beltway between Durango Drive and Tenaya Way as part of the construction of the Centennial Bowl interchange.[7]

Construction on the Losee Road, North Pecos Road, and North Lamb Boulevard interchanges in North Las Vegas began in August 2019. The Losee Road and North Pecos interchanges were both completed and fully opened to traffic on March 3, 2020, while the North Lamb Boulevard interchange was completed and fully opened to traffic in April 2020. The interchanges were all previously temporary at-grade split intersections with traffic signals which opened in 2006.[9][10]

Exit list

The entire route is in Clark County.

LocationmikmExitDestinationsNotes
Henderson0.000.00— SR 564 east (Lake Mead Parkway)Continuation beyond eastern terminus of I-215
1 I-11 south / I-515 north / US 93 / US 95 – Boulder City, Las VegasI-11 exit 23; system interchange conversion completed in 2006; former I-515 south
2Gibson RoadOpened on April 29, 2000;[4] interchange completed in 2006
3AStephanie StreetSigned as exit 3 westbound
3BValle Verde Drive
5Green Valley Parkway
Henderson–Paradise line6 SR 146 west (Saint Rose Parkway) / Pecos Road
Paradise7Eastern Avenue
8Windmill Lane
9Warm Springs Road
10 Sunset Road (SR 562), McCarran AirportAccess via unsigned SR 171 (McCarran Airport Connector); opened on December 31, 1995[4]
Enterprise11Las Vegas BoulevardEastbound exit is part of exit 12B; former SR 604/US 91/US 466
12 I-15 – Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake CityCCW terminus of CC 215 and western terminus of I-215; signed as exits 12A (south) and 12B (north) eastbound and exits 12A (north) and 12B (south) westbound; I-15 exit 34
13Decatur Boulevard
14Jones BoulevardOpened on November 11, 1999[11]
Enterprise–Spring Valley line15Rainbow Boulevard
Spring Valley16Buffalo DriveOpened in 2006
17Durango Drive, Sunset RoadWestbound exit and eastbound entrance; opened in 2006
Cardinal direction change: South Leg (west–east) / West Leg (north–south)[lower-alpha 1]
18Sunset Road, Durango DriveSouthbound exit and northbound entrance; opened in 2006
19Russell RoadOpened in 2006
20Tropicana Avenue
21Flamingo Road
Summerlin South23Town Center DriveSPUI opened in 2005
25Sahara AvenueOpened in 2000[11]
Summerlin South–Las Vegas line26 SR 159 (Charleston Boulevard) – Red Rock Canyon
Las Vegas27Far Hills AvenueInterchange constructed in late 2009
28Summerlin Parkway (SR 613 east)Reconstructed as partial system interchange in late 2009
29Lake Mead BoulevardSPUI (completed August 2008;[13][14] opened on November 21, 2008[15])
30Cheyenne Avenue, Cliff Shadows ParkwayInterchange opened on October 30, 2007[16]
32Lone Mountain RoadInterchange opened in 2018
33Ann Road
Cardinal direction change: West Leg (north–south), North Leg (east–west)[lower-alpha 1]
35Hualapai WayInterchange opened in 2003
37Durango Drive
Eastern end of freeway
US 95 south / Oso Blanca Road – Las VegasTemporary intersection
38 US 95 – Las Vegas, Tonopah, RenoInterchange (interim configuration); direct access only from northbound US 95 to CC 215 and from westbound CC 215 to southbound US 95; US 95 exit 91
To US 95 north / Sky Pointe Drive – Tonopah, RenoTemporary intersection; access to Buffalo Drive and Centennial Parkway
Western end of freeway
40Jones BoulevardInterchange opened in 2014
Las Vegas–North Las Vegas line41Decatur BoulevardInterchange opened in 2013
North Las Vegas43Aliante ParkwayInterchange opened in 2008
45Revere StreetInterchange completed October 2016,[17][18][19] but ramps not opened to traffic until 2018
46North 5th StreetEastbound ramps opened in 2009 and full interchange opened in September 2011
47Losee RoadTemporary intersection opened in 2006. Interchange opened on March 3, 2020.[9]
48Pecos RoadTemporary intersection opened in 2006. Interchange opened on March 3, 2020.[10]
49Lamb BoulevardTemporary intersection opened in 2006. Interchange opened in April 2020.[10]
Eastern end of freeway
Range RoadTemporary intersection
51 I-15 / US 93 / Tropical Parkway – Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Ely, Salt Lake CityInterchange (interim configuration); CW terminus of CC 215; I-15 exit 52
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Notes
  1. As indicated by mile markers and reassurance shields along the mainline.[12]

References
  1. Department of Public Works. "Bruce Woodbury Beltway" (PDF). Clark County. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 12, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  2. Nevada Department of Transportation (January 2019). "State Maintained Highways of Nevada: Descriptions and Maps". Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  3. "The projected date for finishing the Las Vegas Beltway?". Las Vegas Sun. January 27, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  4. "I-215 Nevada". 3-Digit Interstates. Kurumi.com. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  5. "Interstate 215 / Clark County 215 - Bruce Woodbury Beltway". AARoads. June 23, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2020. ... This upgrade was previously scheduled for completion in 2013, but portions of the northern beltway remain at-grade. ...
  6. "Las Vegas Construction Project". PBTP Construction division Las Vegas. November 30, 2011. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  7. Staff. "Clark County 215 Beltway". Clark County. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  8. https://www.reviewjournal.com/traffic/northwest-beltway-construction-to-run-until-spring-2018/
  9. "Losee Road Is Back Open At CC-215". KXNT-AM. March 3, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  10. "Pecos Road at 215 Interchange reopens". FOX5 Las Vegas. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  11. "Las Vegas Beltway". Western Roads. AARoads. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  12. Google (September 17, 2020). "Las Vegas Beltway" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  13. McCabe, Francis (July 16, 2008). "Road Warrior Q&A: Interchange opening moved up to 2010". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  14. "An interchange collecting dust". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 3, 2008. Archived from the original (Editorial) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  15. "Lake Mead-Beltway interchange opens". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 21, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  16. 8 News Now at 5. Las Vegas: KLAS-TV. October 30, 2007.
  17. McCabe, Francis (March 25, 2009). "Road Warrior: Fifth Street bridging Beltway". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  18. Obilor, Demetria (April 4, 2016). "Driving You Crazy: Never-ending construction along the north Beltway". LasVegasNOW. Las Vegas: KLAS-TV. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  19. Marroquin, Art (September 10, 2017). "Memo to Nevada motorists: License plates aren't optional". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2017.

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