A 1,500-foot chain link fence has been installed along Boulder Highway between Nellis and Flamingo to reduce pedestrian fatalities by preventing jaywalking and encouraging the use of crosswalks. The fence is part of a safety effort in response to an increase in pedestrian deaths in the area. Captain Jeff Clark of Metro’s Southeast Area Command told FOX5 Vegas, “If you run across Boulder Highway you’re not going to get hurt. You’re going to end up losing your life.”
New fencing has been installed in Las Vegas as part of Sheriff Kevin McMahill's goal to reduce traffic deaths to below 120 in 2025. Officials say pedestrian-related crashes in the fenced area have dropped to zero. The fence is intended to prevent unsafe street crossings in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Some residents have raised concerns. Alexa Hantz told KTNV, "I'd hope it was going to work, but people are just finding the main ends where the fence is ending so it's just causing more of a potential hazard, rather than preventing what they thought it was going to." Some community members say the fence is only part of a larger discussion about pedestrian safety.
Clark County officials plan to extend fencing along Boulder Highway from East Flamingo Road to East Sahara Avenue to improve pedestrian safety. The county has not announced plans to install similar fencing in other areas but will monitor how the current fencing affects pedestrian behavior. Captain Clark said, "When I see or hear about reckless driving, I hate it," and noted his department has requested better marked crosswalks, repainting of existing ones, and improved lighting, according to FOX5 Vegas. Resident Chris Coston said, "It does encourage people to use the correct crosswalks and walk correctly. Every little bit helps," as reported by KTNV.
