Drivers who grit their teeth through the Harry Reid International Airport connector tunnel may finally get some relief. After years of visible wear and tear, the below-ground roadway that carries traffic under the runways and into a tight squeeze near the Sunset Road exit is set to be repaved, with work scheduled to kick off this summer.
On May 5, the Clark County Board of Commissioners approved an award for Project 3150, titled "Roadway Pavement Repair at Airport Connector Tunnels," to Las Vegas Paving Corporation, according to the Clark County Board of Commissioners. The award was contingent on the company providing required performance and labor-and-material bonds, as outlined in the meeting packet.
Airport spokeswoman Monika Bertaki told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the repaving contract was awarded to Las Vegas Paving for no more than $2.4 million, and that work inside the tunnel is slated to begin in late August. Jed Wheeler, the contracted project manager, said paving on that section is expected to start within the next few months.
Part Of A Larger Interchange Overhaul
The tunnel resurfacing is one piece of a broader $49.5 million, two-year Interstate 215 Beltway and Airport Connector interchange project that started in November 2025 and is expected to continue through November 2027. The larger effort includes widening the northbound connector from three lanes to four, realigning ramps and constructing bridge structures. County outreach notices list Las Vegas Paving as the contractor for the wider project and identify Robert Krause as the Clark County Public Works construction project manager, Clark County Public Works reports.
Officials and local reporting note that the tunnel pavement has been breaking down for years as mineral deposits from hard water leaking from the airport above have eaten into the roadway, leaving it uneven and deteriorated. That ongoing wear, combined with the connector's single-lane exit to Sunset that can choke traffic, pushed the county to prioritize a focused repaving job, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
What Drivers Should Expect
County outreach materials say crews will try to minimize conflicts with traffic control, keep driveway access open and use night work where needed to cut down on daytime disruption. The notices also include a construction hotline for questions, list typical work hours and provide direct contact information for construction project manager Robert Krause. The outreach documents were distributed by Clark County Public Works.
Safety And Code Changes
The county has also moved to tighten up tunnel safety rules. An ordinance on the same May 5 agenda would add regulations for single-lane tunnel systems by adopting Chapter 42 of the International Fire Code, which covers design, operation and maintenance of tunnels. County staff say the language is intended to improve emergency readiness around tunnel facilities. The proposal appears in the meeting packet and advanced alongside other aviation-related items, according to the Clark County Board of Commissioners.
Drivers heading to the airport should plan for intermittent lane restrictions and keep an eye on alerts from Clark County and state traffic feeds. Nevada 511's map and camera views offer real-time snapshots of closures and slowdowns. For terminal information and airport media contacts, travelers can check the Harry Reid International Airport contact page. Nevada 511 and Harry Reid International Airport provide project updates and contact details.
