Las Vegas Strip Motorists Face Delays From Formula 1 Repaving

Traffic tie-ups are expected to carry on as the next phase of repaving on and around the Las Vegas Strip takes place through the late spring and summer.

The project, which kicked off in April, will improve local roads so they can handle the demands from cars racing in the 3.8-mile Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The latest round of road work begins next week. Koval Lane will be repaved between June 11 and 16. The paddock area will be repaved from June 19 to 30.

Later this summer, work will continue on various sections of the track, including:

Sands Avenue, July 16–21
Las Vegas Strip, July 23-28
Harmon Avenue, July 30 to August 4
Koval Lane, August 13–18
Paddock area, August 6–11

The MSG Sphere Corners are to be repaved from August 21–25, and again from September 10–15.

The anticipated Formula 1 car race takes place between November 16 and 18.

Race organizers have many requirements that lead to a longer paving process, according to Las Vegas TV station KVVU. That includes putting down two base layers of pavement.

Cars in the upcoming race also are lower and require even road surfaces when traveling at 200 mph or more.

Beyond repaving, crews also need to install temporary barriers and pedestrian access areas for the race, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Complaints Heard

In recent weeks, motorists have been complaining about getting stuck in traffic as lanes get shut down so crews can repave the roads.

On May 31, a popular street performer, “Johnny Motown,” told Las Vegas TV station KTNV it took him three times longer than usual to get to work because of the repaving.

“It was ridiculous, and I had no choice. I have to deal with it,” he told the TV station.

A couple who was on vacation hopped on a bus on Fremont Street to get to the Las Vegas Strip. The bus was delayed in traffic for more than an hour because of the road work, KTNV reported. They ended up walking the rest of the way.

“If I didn’t know this was here, I would be late to everything,” another visitor to Las Vegas told KTNV about the repaving delays.

Formula 1 Benefits

Supporters of bringing the race to Las Vegas point to the estimated $1 billion impact the event will have on the region. Another benefit is the repaving will improve the well-traveled local roads for routine traffic and not just the auto race, the Review-Journal reported.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is expected to be well attended, too. Some 105K tickets are almost sold out, the Review-Journal added.

There is an option to purchase tickets for a fan festival where the audience can watch the race via TV screens in a vacant property near the Fashion Show Mall.

The road work on Koval Lane, including its repaving, might cause inconvenience for casino goers and visitors, as it's scheduled from June 11 to 16. The fan festival, offering a view of the Formula 1 race via TV screens, is located in a vacant property near the Fashion Show Mall, and it may attract a large crowd from the casino area.