F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix transportation management plan released, highlights ‘less intrusive’ build

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — A confidential document has now raced into public view, disclosing details of the traffic management plan for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix (LVGP).

Clark County released a PDF that’s a compilation of information available online on a website by engineering consultant Kimley-Horn. The website presents the information in smaller chunks, divided into week-by-week plans. Find the website here:

The complete plan is not yet available as it continues to go through an approval process.

The inaugural year came with inaugural shortcomings that even LVGP CEO Renee Wilm admits. Now, this plan – submitted to the county on May 1 – aims to swerve around some of them.

“A significant portion of our year two planning has been to respond to local concerns,” Wilm said outside the Clark County Commission Chambers on Aug. 6. “(It) will be a significantly less intrusive build for this year.”

MOVE-IN

The 124-page traffic management document details the more “fluid process” of circuit build-out that LVGP Project Manager Terry Miller told county commissioners in early August will positively contrast to the first year’s setup. A construction “hopscotch around the circuit” provoked months of near-standstill traffic for thousands of Las Vegas Strip visitors and workers alike in 2023.

Installation begins Labor Day week, the document says, and spans through the November racing week. Most of this work is scheduled to be performed overnight “to minimize disruption to vehicles and pedestrians.”

It starts on the southern portion of Las Vegas Boulevard and progresses through Harmon and around the near four-mile circuit, gradually tending to sections of the track at a time. First comes the lighting installation, followed by road barriers, pedestrian bridge enclosures and vehicle bridges.

Last year’s three vehicle bridges – meant to maintain emergency access inside and outside the circuit when in use – will return over Harmon Avenue and Flamingo Road. The latter was the partial focus of legal action by nearby businesses who were promised a more narrow and southern-intersection-sitting bridge over Koval Lane this year. The installation and dismantling of this bridge come with multiple weeks of 24-hour intersection closures.

“Access will be provided to all properties during the closures,” the document reads.

The bulk of traffic headaches last year stemmed from months of underground utility work and repaving that is not required this year beyond the occasional patch-up, according to Miller. But new obstacles are expected instead.

Some overnight installations require temporary lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Two southbound Las Vegas Boulevard lanes in front of the Bellagio will also see multiple weeks of 24-hour lane closures to construct the grandstands and hospitality suites that sat there last year.

Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones also indicated that no other road projects will be performed during the three-month installation and dismantling period within the resort corridor.

“HOT” TRACK

Come the week of the race, the circuit then undergoes testing for the three-day event.

The circuit enters “warm track” on Tuesday, Nov. 19 through the following Wednesday, Nov. 27. The management plan defines this as when “the circuit remains largely open to public use, but additional barriers and traffic movement restrictions have been added to allow for rapid transition to a closed track.”

Tuesday, Nov. 19 and Wednesday, Nov. 20 will have overnight track testing before the circuit turns from “warm” to “hot” from Thursday, Nov. 21, to Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2:30 p.m. daily.

While “hot,” the monorail will see familiar customers. Hospitality workers will be required to RSVP for off-site parking at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Orleans Hotel before either shuttling or taking the monorail in. The plan then goes on to call this parking “first come, first serve.”

Those Strip employees needing to enter or leave the circuit while “hot” are given free monorail passes that double as their parking passes. LVGP has additionally suggested four rideshare dropoff and pick-up locations for those needing to enter the inner circuit: the Virgin Hotel, Howard Hughes Business Park, Tuscany Hotel and Park MGM.

“Planning with impacted properties and employee groups is ongoing and details have yet to be finalized,” the document reads.

Surrounding vehicle traffic will be directed around the “hot” circuit with digital signs positioned outside the perimeter to alert drivers of the upcoming closures. I-15 ramps on Spring Mountain Road and Flamingo will also be closed during “hot” track.

MOVE-OUT

After the booming engines rumble down and bright track lights fade, LVGP operators begin dismantling temporary structures the day after the race on Saturday, Nov. 23.

It’s expected to last through the week of Dec. 23, starting with Las Vegas Boulevard.

“This corridor will also be the first to have track barrier removed (week of Nov. 25) to allow the Las Vegas Boulevard to quickly be restored to normal use,” the document reads.

A Clark County representative told 8 News Now Thursday that the Public Works Department continues to evaluate supporting documentation, like traffic control plans and encroachment permits.

LVGP CEO Wilm said this working plan ensures safety for emergency responses.

“We are much more prepared,” Wilm said. “We are going to be able to get information out on a much more timely manner.”

But, Strip workers fear familiar struggles to maintain employment. They have consistently appeared in front of Clark County Commissioners to air their grievances.

“Traffic disruptions leading up to the event has caused myself and others to be late, of which, our employers don’t care. They don’t give us leeway for traffic conditions,” Tisha Delzer, a 25-year valet at Paris Las Vegas, told commissioners on Aug. 20.

“Sometimes, two hours just getting into work,” Bryce Chung, a 10-year valet at the Venetian and Palazzo, told commissioners that same day. “Collectively, my coworkers have lost tens of thousands of dollars in tips throughout the months leading up to the race.”

LVGP will use this website to provide information about upcoming road closures. This is in addition to the SMS text update system implemented last year to provide updates.

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