Since the NFL Draft, there's been talk about permanently shutting down vehicular traffic on the Las Vegas Strip. While this was done for the event, it's not a viable long-term solution. Such a move would create difficulties in accessing multiple resorts situated along the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
After the NFL Draft was no longer a topic, I assumed the conversation had come to a close. However, it unexpectedly resurfaced, catching the attention of Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who shared his thoughts on the matter in a tweet regarding the traffic during the holiday weekend.
Here are a few explanations as to why this concept is not feasible:
A number of Las Vegas Strip establishments could potentially face a reduction in parking spaces or limited direct access.
It would be highly impractical to close the Las Vegas Strip to vehicular traffic due to the severe impact it would have on several resorts. Not only would Casino Royale and the Jockey Club be completely cut off from any access to a public road, but the situation would be equally dire for Aria, Bellagio, and Wynn. The public parking decks at these prominent casinos would become completely inaccessible, creating a logistical nightmare for both visitors and staff.
To ensure a smooth flow of vehicular traffic, it would be imperative to establish a link between the Encore parking deck and Genting Blvd. This, in turn, would entail the construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning the easement or, alternatively, compel pedestrians to traverse the street. However, such a measure would be counterproductive as it directly contradicts the underlying objective of prohibiting cars from accessing Las Vegas Blvd.
On the other hand, we could explore the possibility of linking it to the Desert Inn tunnel. Currently, there is an existing exit where drivers can make a right turn. Nonetheless, if we were to consider this option, a new traffic signal would need to be installed to handle the increased traffic flow. Nevertheless, even if we managed to implement this solution successfully, it would undoubtedly frustrate the local residents, and navigating around the Encore traffic would require them to take a circular route to reach their destinations.
The same problem would arise for the Wynn front entrance, as it too would need a fresh design. The alignment of its parking deck does not match that of the Fashion Show Mall, creating a situation where it would be unable to access the surrounding area without expensive and significant modifications.
Visitors who are staying at the Venetian and Palazzo hotels will experience a change in their usual routine. The primary entrance that they typically use will be temporarily closed off. Instead, those arriving by taxi or rideshare will be directed to use the entrance located at the parking deck on Koval Ln. This particular entrance is also used by guests staying at Harrah’s. This adjustment aims to ensure a smoother flow of traffic and improve overall guest experience.
I am unable to devise any resolution for the Aria and Bellagio parking structures as they are obstructed from Frank Sinatra Drive by nearby buildings.
In order to enter Paris, the entirety of the traffic would have to come either from the Flamingo side entrance of Bally's, necessitating a detour through the parking deck, or take Audrie Street from Harmon Avenue, where there is no exit from the interstate.
Parallel roads are unable to accommodate extra traffic and lack space for expansion.
If Las Vegas Blvd were to be closed, two other roads would bear the burden of handling a significantly increased volume of traffic. Unfortunately, neither of these alternative routes possesses the necessary capacity to accommodate such a surge, nor do they have sufficient space for any potential expansion.
Running behind the west side of the Strip is Frank Sinatra Drive, a road that plays host to a number of resorts with convenient back parking deck entrances. Among these resorts are Caesars Palace, Park MGM, New York-New York, Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay.
Accessing Sinatra from locations outside of the Strip casinos can be quite a challenge. The road comes to an end at Russell Road, located just south of Mandalay Bay. To start the journey along Sinatra, one must find the intersection where it meets Sammy David Jr., also known as Industrial, and Dean Martin. Twain, on the other hand, reaches its conclusion at the point where these three roads intersect. Interestingly, both Flamingo and Tropicana have bridges that pass over Sinatra, but they don't provide any access or connection to the road itself.
The burdened efficiency of the Twain/Davis/Martin/Sinatra intersection is compounded by the presence of Interstate 15 overhead. Unfortunately, widening any of its components is not a feasible option due to the surrounding bridges. However, a possible solution could involve reconfiguring the intersection at Davis/Sinatra, restoring its original alignment and transforming it from the current Davis/Martin layout.
Frank Sinatra Drive currently lacks convenient entry to the highway.
I'm happy to assist you! Here's the passage I've written for you: If you're looking to reach Frank Sinatra Drive from Interstate 15, there are a couple of options at your disposal. The first option is to take the Russell Road exit, which is accessible from both directions. Alternatively, if you're traveling northbound, there's an additional route exclusively designated for that direction of traffic.
Imagine being in California, and just as an event is about to start, you find yourself heading northbound towards T-Mobile Arena. The only option you have to reach any of the nearby resorts is to take the ramp across from the arena.
As the interstate highway runs parallel to Sinatra, there is limited room to construct additional exits or expand the road. Furthermore, the nearby areas of Flamingo and Tropicana present impractical options for building a flyover from Interstate 15 southbound. Such a construction would inevitably lead to severe congestion problems along Dean Martin Drive, the road that traverses the western side of the interstate and intersects with Sinatra at Davis.
When aiming to reach Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, or Cosmopolitan from the southbound interstate, the most efficient route would require exiting at Flamingo Road. Once there, one would need to make a U-turn and travel northbound on Dean Martin Drive. To access Dean Martin Drive, two possible options would be utilizing either Hotel Rio Drive or Twain Avenue. It is important to envision the potential congestion that could occur at the intersections of Dean Martin Drive with Jerry Lee Lewis, Hotel Rio Drive, Twain Avenue, and Sinatra/Davis.
I found myself standing at the convergence point of history, where Twain, Davis, Sinatra, and Martin intersected. Little did I know that this seemingly innocent junction would become one of the most chaotic and accident-prone spots in the entire nation, serving as a gateway for both the nostalgic remnants of Las Vegas Blvd's past and the modern-day traffic that traverses it. Those who sought to return to Interstate 15 found themselves compelled to embark on a convoluted journey, either navigating the entirety of Sinatra until Russell Road, circumnavigating Dean Martin to reach Flamingo Road, or opting for the longer routes of Industrial/Davis leading to Spring Mountain Road or Sahara Avenue. It was a labyrinth of options, each path serving as a testament to the labyrinthine nature of this treacherous intersection.
Koval Lane should not be considered as a substitute for Las Vegas Blvd.
In the event that Las Vegas Blvd were to be closed, Koval Lane emerges as a potential alternative route for the north/south traffic, situated to the east of the bustling Las Vegas Strip. However, this road presents several challenges that need to be taken into account.
There are a couple of challenges when it comes to the task of aligning Koval Ln with Las Vegas Blvd in the southern area of Tropicana Avenue. The first one relates to the airport, which makes it practically impossible to achieve this realignment. The second challenge lies in widening Koval, as there are multiple parking decks that extend towards the sidewalks. These parking structures pose a dilemma in terms of finding a suitable solution for the widening process.
Sands Avenue marks the termination point for Koval Lane. Unfortunately, the expansion of Koval Lane towards the north is impeded by the presence of the Wynn Resort and its adjacent golf club. Consequently, the flow of traffic diverts onto Paradise, exacerbating an already chaotic intersection at Sands. Furthermore, navigating the convention center entrance just beyond this point becomes arduous, particularly during significant events. Ponder the repercussions that will arise once the traffic volume experiences exponential growth.
The influx of tourists would congest employee access to Las Vegas Strip casinos.
As an assistant, I'm here to help you with your request! Here's the unique passage I've created for you: The convenient location of Davis and Sinatra caters to the workforce situated on the western side of the vibrant Las Vegas Strip. Providing easy accessibility to the establishments, these properties ensure that employees can seamlessly commute to their workplaces. With distinct entrances for employee parking decks, separate from the ones utilized by the general public, the establishments prioritize the convenience and security of their staff. However, if Sinatra were to replace the renowned Las Vegas Blvd and a solution could not be found for the parking deck predicaments at Aria and Bellagio, it would undoubtedly create a nightmarish situation for the hardworking employees.
During the construction period, they would also have to endure a nightmarish ordeal. The main public entrances would no longer be reserved solely for employees. Commuting to and from work on weekends, especially during peak hours, could turn into a dreadfully long journey, adding an extra hour to their already hectic schedules.
Imagine this scenario: you're in Las Vegas, wanting to go from Aria to Venetian. Sounds simple, right? Well, not exactly. The route would involve going down to Spring Mountain on Davis, crossing the Strip to Sands, and then continuing on to Koval, eventually reaching the back side of Venetian. What was once a mere 1.5-mile drive lasting about 12 minutes now becomes a 30-minute cab ride in moderate traffic. To put it in perspective, it would actually be faster to walk that distance! As you can see, taxis and rideshares would face significant challenges navigating these convoluted routes, making transportation in this area quite complex.
I understand the importance of promoting walking, but let's be realistic here. No one who has a dinner reservation, is attending a convention, or going to a show is going to opt for walking. Plus, we need to consider the scorching temperatures that reach over 100 degrees for about a third of the year.
Getting to the airport could pose challenges
Closing Las Vegas Blvd would result in a scenario where taxis and ride-sharing services would be utilized to transport individuals to the Beltway, which would be the preferred solution for numerous establishments. Accessing any casino located on the western side of the Strip, except for certain areas near Tropicana Avenue, would become more convenient by taking I-15 and exiting at either Russell or Frank Sinatra. However, this option would be more costly for tourists, providing minimal benefits to the drivers who would have to contend with the altered traffic patterns.
What are the possible actions that can be taken?
Making pedestrian safety a top priority on the Las Vegas Strip is a no-brainer. To kick things off, installing bollards is a fantastic step in the right direction. Furthermore, there are already plans in motion to develop and secure funding for brand new pedestrian walkways.
I have noticed that along the strip, there are multiple spots on the sidewalk that are not meeting the necessary capacity. It seems that one of these points will likely be addressed through the construction of new developments between MGM Grand and Planet Hollywood. Another area of concern is located between Paris and Bally's. Additionally, there are problematic sections on the north side of the Strip, particularly around Casino Royale.
There are several possible approaches to address this issue. Widening the sidewalks is one potential solution. However, there are a few different ways to accomplish this. The most cost-effective option would involve removing the right lane in these specific sections. Although this may be the cheapest solution, it is far from ideal. Another possibility would be to shift Las Vegas Blvd approximately 10 or 15 feet to the west in these areas where there is more undeveloped land and sidewalk available. Essentially, this would involve redistributing the excess sidewalk capacity from one side of the road to the other. While this idea may seem feasible, it is important to note that it would likely be prohibitively expensive. Moreover, property owners who have already developed large sidewalks for their customers as part of the planning and zoning process may strongly oppose this proposal.
The airport train is crucial for a meaningful discussion.
The Las Vegas Monorail proved to be a glaring disappointment due to its poor location choice, resulting in its inability to provide convenient connections to both the airport and downtown Las Vegas.
In due course, a solution to this predicament will surface through a visionary proposing an ingenious light rail concept. In the meantime, it is plausible that certain properties, currently confined by their surroundings, may undergo redevelopment or, at the very least, have ample opportunity to devise an appropriate resolution. However, until such a moment arises, any discourse revolving around the notion of obstructing traffic on the Las Vegas Strip remains nothing more than an impractical reverie.