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Traffic
capacity improvements for the Paradise Road arterial project, including an extension of the
“one-way couplet,” were recently completed between Tropicana Avenue
and Harmon Avenue, nearly six weeks ahead of schedule.
 The
project was designed to alleviate traffic congestion in
this area which experiences significant traffic volumes
between McCarran International Airport and the Resort Corridor. Now all
Paradise Road travel lanes from Harmon Avenue to the airport are in the southbound direction, while
the lanes on Swenson Street are exclusively northbound. Previously, the streets were
only one way from the airport to as far north as Naples Drive. The recent improvements included the widening of
Harmon Avenue from Paradise
to Swenson, thereby linking the two streets. Harmon Avenue
traffic signals were modified at Paradise
and at Swenson. A new traffic signal was also installed
at Paradise
and Naples Drive.
 The
construction contract for the Paradise Road project also included road improvements in other areas:
the addition of new traffic signals at Twain Avenue and Palos Verdes Street,
Hualapai Way and Flamingo Road, and Hualapai Way and Count Deiro Drive; and the construction of pedestrian crossings at
Maryland Parkway and University Avenue, and Maryland Parkway
and Dumont Boulevard.
“We’re
very happy that we could finish this project early,”
stated Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani,
representing Commission District E. She continued,
“The improvements will facilitate a safer, more
efficient commute in these areas.”
 For
example, the extension of the Paradise/Swenson one-way
couplet to Harmon Avenue will provide a higher transportation capacity street
network. Because all traffic is traveling in the same
direction on each of the roadways, there are fewer
movements at intersections and better synchronization of
traffic signals. Also, this configuration is more
pedestrian-friendly for the thousands of visitors who
come to this area which is the site of a major
casino/hotel, restaurants, bars, various other
businesses and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Denis
Cederburg, director of Clark County Public Works,
stated, “The project presented a number of challenges
to us and our project partners. However, the cooperation
of local businesses and residents, a diligent contractor
and effective coordination with the utility operators
enabled us to be successful.”
One
of the major challenges was construction in the midst of
one of the Valley’s most heavily traveled areas. “We
wanted to ensure that the work could be done well and
that the impact to motorists would be minimized as much
as possible,” said Denis Cederburg. “The County, HDR
Engineering, the project engineering firm, Wells Cargo,
Inc., the project construction contractor, and affected
businesses devised a plan whereby construction efforts
were intense for a few days, impacting traffic flow with
various lane restrictions and temporary roadway
closures, and after that the impact lessened.”
As
motorists and pedestrians become accustomed to the new
traffic capacity improvements, they should exercise
caution and obey all traffic regulations.
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