Weekend paving work on I-15 to cause delays
The road to Vegas will be lined with brake lights this weekend.
Caltrans officials are warning Las Vegas-bound motorists of three- to four-hour delays because of a highway resurfacing project that will close a portion of northbound Interstate 15 from early Saturday morning till early Monday.
The closure is the fourth in a series of weekend stoppages on I-15 near Devore as the California Department of Transportation wraps up a $26-million repaving project.
“My best advice is go on Friday, go early,” said Caltrans spokeswoman Rose Melgoza.
Erika Pope, spokeswoman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said she didn’t expect the road work to have a significant effect on weekend visitor turnout.
Pope predicted that folks would adjust their travel times to avoid the construction delay or “maybe extend their trip.”
Starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, motorists on I-15 who are south of I-10 will be redirected onto eastbound I-10. They can then take northbound I-215 in San Bernardino. The Kenwood Avenue exit off northbound I-15 will also be closed. The ramp will reopen at 4 a.m. Monday.
Caltrans hopes to divert as much as 40% of weekend traffic. Drivers on the 15 will detour south on I-215 and then go north on the 215 to get back on the 15.
Caltrans shifted construction times to avoid closures Friday, typically the busiest day for northbound traffic on I-15.
The agency suggested alternate routes, such as eastbound I-10 to Highway 62, to Highway 247 through Lucerne Valley -- which leads back to Interstate 15.
Local transportation officials said commuters leaving Los Angeles also could take Highway 14 to Highway 58 and connect with I-15 in Barstow.
Heavily traveled I-15 is used by trucks, hauling goods from Los Angeles-area ports, as well as interstate traffic. In addition to drainage and guardrail improvements, the project will add a 3-mile truck climbing lane on northbound I-15 beginning at the 215 interchange.
Caltrans has two weekend closures planned for December and hopes to finish the project before the new year.
More information about the freeway closure: www.caltrans8.info
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