Las Vegas Tropicana Avenue Project to Receive Federal Funds to Alleviate Allegiant Stadium Congestion

Posted on: June 19, 2020, 06:30h. 

Last updated on: June 19, 2020, 11:02h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The I-15 Tropicana Avenue Project being built by the Nevada Department of Transportation is set to receive $50 million in federal funds. That’s after President Donald Trump said yesterday he’s allocating such money to assist in its construction.

Tropicana Avenue I-15 Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas
The project to reduce congestion at the I-15 interchange at Tropicana Avenue will receive federal assistance, President Donald Trump says. (Image: Mick Akers/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The $200 million project includes replacing the interstate’s existing interchange structures, and widening and lengthening the Tropicana Avenue bridge that passes over I-15. Other improvements include added HOV ramps and the separation of through traffic on Dean Martin Drive from the Tropicana Avenue intersection.

I’m proposing a $50M award to @nevadadot from @USDOT to reconstruct the Tropicana Avenue/I-15 interchange. So important for improving and reducing traffic in this booming area!” Trump tweeted Thursday evening.

Construction is nearing completion on the $1.8 billion domed Allegiant Stadium, the new home of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders. The venue’s location, located just west of I-15 between Hacienda Avenue and Russell Road, is expected to bring in throngs of new visitors to Southern Nevada.

But it also has nearby casino operators concerned that their parking garages will be overrun with sports fans – not gamblers.

Visitor Enchorachment

MGM Resorts, the Strip’s largest operator of casinos, has voiced worries that its properties – many of which are located on the Strip’s southern end on the west side closest to the stadium – will be targeted by sports fans for parking.

MGM interim CEO Bill Hornbuckle said in 2019 that the company’s casinos could “be choked out” and unable to provide its guests with parking. Those concerns have only increased after MGM Resorts announced last month that it was restoring free parking at all of its Las Vegas properties.

The Southern Nevada Infrastructure Committee is forecasting that the stadium will attract more than 451,000 “incremental visitors” annually – guests who wouldn’t otherwise be visiting the region. The average stadium visitor is expected to spend $64 per sports ticket, $82 on food and beverage, $145 on shopping, $16 on stadium concessions, $30 on entertainment, and $141 on gambling.

To help ease some of MGM’s concerns, Clark County acquired 17.3 acres of paved lots and commercial warehouses last year for $28 million. The property is located south of Tropicana Avenue at Valley View Boulevard.

Stadium officials will offer those who park there a free shuttle, but expect most will walk the roughly half-mile to Allegiant.

Delay of (Parking) Game

The I-15 Tropicana Avenue Project will help traffic in the area, especially on game days. But the Nevada Department of Transportation says the project won’t be completed until 2024.

The area is already congested. State transportation officials say the I-15 Tropicana Avenue interchange handles more than 87,000 vehicles per day. That will greatly increase at least eight Sundays a year once Clark County opens its new parking lot and the Raiders begin play.

The Las Vegas Raiders are set to make their debut in Allegiant Stadium on August 27 in a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The team’s first regular season contest will come September 21 on Monday Night Football, when the Raiders host the New Orleans Saints.