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Published on November 12, 2024
Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Preparations Bring Traffic Disruptions and Enhanced Safety MeasuresSource: Google Street View

As the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix prepares for its second year, major changes are underway on the Las Vegas Strip—much to the dismay of some visitors and to the inconvenience of local workers. Structures for the event have already been popping up, including concrete barriers and overhead lights for the nighttime race, ensuring that drivers can reach speeds up to 215 mph safely along the 3.8-mile route that snakes through the heart of the city's iconic boulevard.

Notably, pedestrian bridges along the Strip are being fitted with robust barrier systems to ensure the uninterrupted flow of pedestrian traffic and the safety of the racers below. Compared to last year's adhesive film, which was easily removed by onlookers, these new installations are more significant, comprising aluminum enclosures and scaffoldings that block any view of the race from above. According to a statement obtained by the FOX5 Vegas, "We can‘t allow for people to stop the flow of pedestrian traffic during this event and clog up the pedestrian traffic on the bridge and also for the drivers’ safety as well. We can’t allow people to be on the bridges and throw things down onto the track below the bridges."

These preparations have led to significant traffic disruptions, as noted by Abel Torres, a worker on the Strip who told FOX5 Vegas, "It is very chaotic especially around Bellagio and Caesars Palace...your stuck." The race's imminent approach also means that roads such as Koval Lane from Rochelle Avenue to Harmon Avenue will be closed completely from November 16-25. Moreover, traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard and on Sands Avenue will see lane reductions to accommodate the final setup.

While F1 officials assert that traffic impact has been reduced by 65 percent compared to last year, these measures do not alleviate the concerns of locals and visitors alike who are experiencing the current constraints. To ease transportation woes for resort corridor workers, a shuttle service beginning November 20 will be in operation. Lori Nelson-Kraft, senior vice president of corporate affairs for F1, highlighted that this park-and-ride program, in cooperation with Strip employers, would provide essential support during race-related road closures. Workers can park at designated lots at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Rio, and The Orleans, as mentioned by the Review-Journal.

To stay informed about continuous updates and the latest on closures, F1 has launched an interactive website and encourages residents to opt for text updates. Post-race, the plan includes dismantling the circuit immediately after the event, with a target to have the Strip back to its normal state before the Christmas holidays, Nelson-Kraft stated.