FAQs

Learn everything from the history of the Tropicana Interchange to how the finished project will improve your commute. Don’t see what you are looking for? Go to the Contact page and send us your question via the comment form.

When does construction begin?

Crews will begin utility work in the project footprint adjacent to I-15 north of Tropicana Avenue in May 2022. However, major construction won’t begin until July/August 2022.

What is the total cost of the project?

The total cost is $305 million.

Where is the funding coming from?

In 2020, NDOT received a $50 million grant for the Tropicana Interchange project from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The project will be further funded by additional federal dollars as well as state funds.

Why is it necessary to replace the Tropicana bridge?

The height of the Tropicana bridge, built in the 1960s, no longer meets the federal height requirements for commercial vehicles. As a part of this project, the bridge height will be raised. The bridge also needs to be lengthened to accommodate future widening of I-15. The new bridge will also increase capacity of the Tropicana interchange, reconfigure the northbound collector-distributor road’s entrance to I-15 and address the need for HOV access to I-15 separate from Tropicana Avenue.

Will more flyovers be added to the interchange?

No. Due to the location of the project, in a densely developed area with a small footprint, there is not enough space to construct additional flyovers.

When will I-15 traffic be impacted?

Minor lane closures will begin occurring in May while preliminary utility work is conducted. More significant impacts will occur in the Summer of 2022 as construction gets underway.

When will Tropicana Avenue be impacted?

Tropicana Avenue will be most significantly impacted in early 2023 through Summer of 2024 as the bridge is demolished and reconstructed one half at a time.

How long will construction last?

The project is scheduled to be completed in mid 2025.

How will my commute improve once the Tropicana Interchange is completed?

The removal of the traffic signal at Tropicana and Dean Martin Drive will significantly improve traffic flow along the corridor. In addition, Dean Martin Drive will be reconfigured to run underneath Tropicana Avenue, again enhancing traffic flow. An HOV half-interchange on the south side of Harmon Avenue will offer more options for motorists leaving the resort corridor and nearby venues.

Who is the designer/contractor?

In November 2021, the NDOT Board of Directors awarded the Tropicana Interchange contract to Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.

How old is the Tropicana Interchange?

The interchange opened in 1966. In the mid-1990s, NDOT widened the bridge to three lanes in each direction.

How will the project keep me informed of impacts?

You can stay updated on the project via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, sign up for emails ([email protected]) or request updates via text messages. If you have questions regarding the project, you can call the project hotline at 702-876-TROP or stay updated using our app that is planned to launch in July 2022.

Where is the funding coming from?

The I-15/Tropicana Interchange Project is funded with $159.7 million in federal funds, including $25 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) and $50 million from an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2020. The remainder of the funding comes from state gas tax revenue.