Las Vegas motorists should be aware of upcoming traffic changes as the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) enters Phase 5 of the I-15/Tropicana Interchange Project. This phase will introduce new restrictions affecting travel on the west side of Tropicana Avenue. With Phases 3 and 4 still in progress, there will be notable changes around Dean Martin Drive as crews work to rebuild the intersection at Tropicana Avenue.
Named after Rat Pack member Joey Bishop, the newly constructed Joey Bishop Drive will help ease traffic on local roads. Running beneath the Tropicana Avenue bridge, this new north-south route is set to open today, providing a detour while construction continues on Dean Martin Drive. According to the announcement made by NDOT, "removing the traffic signal at Dean Martin Drive and Tropicana Avenue will significantly improve traffic flow along the corridor."
As of this morning, Dean Martin Drive north of Tropicana Avenue is closed, but Joey Bishop Drive will welcome traffic moving both north and south. This schedule will remain in effect until February 18, as Dean Martin Drive will be inaccessible to and from Tropicana Avenue, day and night, while the project continues.
For those traveling at night, the affected area on Tropicana Avenue between Polaris Avenue and Valley View Boulevard will be reduced to a solitary lane, Sunday through Thursday, up until April 6. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and consider alternate routes while passing through the work zones. NDOT has teamed up with Waze to keep the public informed about planned highway restrictions, although unexpected weather or other factors might cause changes to this schedule.
Further details about the I-15/Tropicana Interchange Project, including a comprehensive list of traffic changes and timelines, are available at the NDOT website. For real-time highway conditions, drivers can also visit nvroads.com or call 511 before hitting the road. NDOT also suggests following their social media handles, like @NevadaDOTVegas on Twitter for updates specific to southern Nevada, and @nevadadot across platforms for broader state updates.
