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A 5-mile stretch of Interstate 15 south of the Nevada state border will be widened this spring in an effort to remove a frustrating bottleneck that has caused miles of backups for travelers in California, Governor Gavin Newsom said on Sunday.
Caltrans will repav and redesign the right shoulder for use as a third lane during peak periods, which Newsom has described as Sundays and Mondays. Currently, this section is changing from three lanes to two lanes before returning to three.
“This 5 mile stretch of highway is critical infrastructure not only for our two states, but for the entire country. However, the running hours discourage tourism and the movement of goods, â€Newsom said.
The governor made the announcement during a joint press conference with Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak along I-15 near the border.
Sisolak said he phoned Newsom about a month ago, asking them to clear the congestion.
“The stranglehold that we have is just causing too much difficulty,†Sisolak said.
The $ 12 million project will start in the spring and is expected to be completed by the summer, Newsom said.
LIVE: Governor @GavinNewsom and Nevada @GovSisolak hold a media availability on interstate efforts to combat traffic jams on the California-Nevada border. https://t.co/mdeLvlK3Rg
– Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) December 5, 2021
No long-term solution to the blockage that can arise in either direction between San Bernardino and the border has been announced, but Newsom said some ideas are being discussed. Backups of 25 miles are not unheard of in heavy rain and snow, traffic collisions, and wildfires. Alternative routes keep motorists away from their planned route.
Brightline Holdings has proposed to build a 180 mph train line between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas. No construction date has been announced for the four-year project.
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