Interstate 15 Down To One Lane After Flood Last Week
Las Vegas, NV, September 18, 2014 (Newswire.com) - After the major rain storm last week, Interstate 15 was flooded and chunks of the road were washed out. Since Sept. 12, the highway was down to only one lane in each direction. Large commercial trucks were not allowed to use the highway from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m.
The Nevada Department of Transportation acted quickly to repair the damages. They expect two lanes of traffic to be open by Sept. 20.
Currently, the ongoing traffic in the southbound lanes is being diverted into northbound lanes. The speed limit on that portion of the highway near Moapa has been reduced to 55 mph. That particular stretch of the road sees over 25,000 cars a day.
Over the weekend truck drivers complained that it was the worst traffic backup they have ever experienced. They reported it was stop and go traffic for nearly 20 miles.
As much as 94 percent of manufactured goods in Nevada are delivered by truck. The nation’s average is 69 percent. The I-15 is the typically route for these truck drivers.
For the next week or two, truck drivers will have to take a longer route to deliver goods to Nevada. They are being redirected onto the US Highway 93, which passes through Alamo and Caliente. From there, drivers have to head east of State Route 319 which then connects to the I-15 in Cedar City, Utah. This is over 100 miles extra from their normal route.
Many cars have opted for an alternative route through the Valley of Fire State Park in an attempt to avoid the extra mileage.
The Nevada Department of Transportation stated that the I-15 is a vital roadway for California, Nevada and Utah to the rest of the country. It’s important that the road gets fixed in a timely manner.
For more information about Nevada traffic laws, contact Christensen Law at 702.870.1000. Visit the website at www.injuryhelpnow.com or in-person at 1000 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107.
