Airport Connector project to bring new phase of traffic delays

Courtesy of Clark County Public Works Department

Work is set to begin this weekend on the second phase of Airport Connector upgrades, which will cause lane closures and traffic delays for motorists around McCarran International Airport.

As part of the two-year project, construction will include a new flyover ramp and bridge connecting the southbound Airport Connector to eastbound 215 Beltway, widening the off-ramp from eastbound 215 to Warm Springs Road and construction of a new bridge for that off-ramp, and the widening of a bridge carrying westbound 215 traffic over the Airport Connector.

Beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, the following lane and shoulder restrictions will be put in place by the Clark County Public Works Department:

• The shoulder — sometimes called the breakdown lane — along George Crockett Road from Bermuda Road to where it merges onto the northbound Airport Connector.

• One lane of the eastbound 215 off-ramp (Exit 10) to northbound Airport Connector.

• One lane of the westbound 215 on-ramp and Hidden Well Road exit, from the southbound Airport Connector to Bermuda Road.

Some of the restrictions could be in place for up to 12 months. However, all of the travel lanes through the Airport Connector and tunnel will be open at this time, officials said.

Traffic control through the work zone will be set up 24 hours a day, with normal construction activity taking place 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., officials said.

To avoid traffic delays during peak morning and afternoon commute times, drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes around the airport, traveling on Las Vegas Boulevard and Eastern Avenue to go north or south and on Tropicana Avenue and Sunset Road for east-west travel.

Periodic lane closures and lane shifts are predicted to take place during the two-year span of construction. Officials will provide notice of traffic impacts on electronic message boards in the area and through Clark County social media sites.

The Public Works Department has set up a page on Clark County’s website at to provide details on the scope of the project. The public can also contact the department at (702) 455-6000 or at [email protected] for information.