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The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is announcing that Interstate 15 north of Las Vegas is expected to open as of 4 p.m. this evening, just four days after being washed out by floodwaters.

One lane of traffic will be open in each direction through the Moapa and Glendale area using the northbound interstate. The southbound interstate continues to be repaired and is projected to open the week of Sept. 22. When the interstate is fully repaired, crews will have placed an estimated 15,000 cubic yards of earthwork on northbound and 30,000 to 40,000 cubic yards of earth on the southbound roadway to shore up the base of the eroded interstate.

Speed limit on the interstate will be 55 miles per hour. Motorists are advised to proceed through the area with caution and leave extra travel time.

I-15 was closed Monday evening after approximately two miles of interstate was washed out by floodwaters. Hardest hit was between mile markers 91 to 93 in the Moapa and Glendale areas. In the early morning hours following the flood, Las Vegas Paving crews under contract with NDOT began repairs. Crews first removed flood debris, then rebuilt the base and ultimately paved eroded sections of northbound interstate. Initial repair costs are estimated at approximately $5 million. Under a state declaration of emergency issued Tuesday by Governor Sandoval, the Department will apply for federal reimbursement of repair costs.

“The Nevada Department of Transportation and Department of Emergency Management continue to keep me updated and I thank them, and all of the local responders, for their swift reaction to this emergency,” said Governor Brian Sandoval. “The families and communities affected by the damage from the floodwaters remain in my thoughts and prayers.”

“Our top priority is the mobility and safety of motorists,” NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon said. “Rebuilding and repaving two miles of interstate in just four days has been nothing short of amazing. We’re pleased to say that I-15 is now back open for travel. I appreciate the coordination and cooperation we have had with the Nevada Trucking Association, the Nevada Department of Public Safety and others.”

“We greatly appreciate the non-stop efforts of Las Vegas Paving to repair the interstate,” NDOT District Engineer Mary Martini explained. “From a transportation perspective, we also appreciate the support of our law enforcement and transportation partners, as well as neighboring states, who worked so closely with us to safely direct interstate traffic. And, we want to thank all motorists who were so understanding as we repaired this vital interstate link.”

 

Commercial Vehicles

Commercial vehicles will be able to travel the interstate southbound.

Commercial vehicles will be able to travel northbound on I-15 between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., commercial vehicles heading northbound will continue to be detoured via U.S. 93 between Las Vegas and Utah. Truck detour information will continue to be available through the nevadadot.com homepage.