Las Vegas commuters and residents are facing even longer traffic delays on the Strip corridor due to ongoing construction activity and the addition of heavy-duty haul trucks.

Drivers like Keisha Kennard, who uses Desert Inn Road daily, report significant delays. “It’s taking us forever to get anywhere,” she shared. Similar frustrations are voiced by James Scott, a resident near the Las Vegas Convention Center. “The trucks go in and out all day, but I have no idea what they’re actually doing,” he said.

These large trucks are hauling dirt excavated from the former Riviera Hotel site to a location ten miles away. The Las Vegas Convention Center confirmed that the excavation and land preparation are at the request of the property’s new buyers, the Fontainebleau Resort and a development group known as 65SLVB. The total purchase price reportedly exceeded $125 million.

The dirt removal process is expected to continue through August, adding to the existing traffic congestion. Residents express concerns beyond just delays, with Scott mentioning frustration over the perception that “trucks are more important than people trying to get through Vegas.” Safety is also a worry for some drivers, like Keisha Kennard, who expressed concerns about swaying trucks and potential debris.

Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom assured residents that any trucks caught dropping debris on county roadways will be cited. Fortunately, no such incidents have been reported to date.

The future of the former Riviera site remains unclear. The purchase agreement reportedly includes a deadline of November 1st for both companies to finalize the deal, with one company assuming full responsibility if the other fails to close. While no development plans have been announced, the agenda item stipulated that the land should be suitable for high-quality construction projects on par with the Fontainebleau and the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall.

Las Vegas commuters can expect continued traffic disruptions along the Strip corridor with the ongoing construction haul truck activity for the next few months.

Source: 8 News Now