Oct. 20, 2006

In preparation for the first ever Vegas Grand Prix auto race, the city of Las Vegas Department of Public Works is gearing up for an ambitious road improvement program to be completed within a short time frame. Several downtown streets that make up the race route will be repaved to Vegas Grand Prix standards during the next couple of weeks.

Carson Avenue, between Casino Center Boulevard and Fourth Street, will be closed to traffic starting at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, and continuing through 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 26. Crews will be milling or grinding up the top layer of asphalt and then the road section will be repaved. While the temporary 24-hour closure is in effect, Bridger Avenue is suggested as an alternate travel route.

“Although the Vegas Grand Prix does not take place until April, weather constraints require paving work to be done in temperatures of 60 degrees and higher,” Public Works Deputy Director Jorge Cervantes said. “Our goal is to get the work done quickly and ahead of the cooler weather, while causing the least amount of disruption to downtown businesses and those frequenting the downtown area.”

Other streets to be repaved soon include Carson Avenue between Main Street and First Street, Bridger Avenue between First Street and Casino Center Boulevard, Bonneville Avenue between Grand Central Parkway and Main Street, Ogden Avenue between Main Street and Fourth Street, Main Street between Bonneville and Carson avenues, First Street between Bridger Avenue and Carson, Casino Center between Bridger and Carson, and Fourth Street between Carson and Ogden.

Grand Central Parkway is also part of the race route and after the first of the year, it will be repaved between Bonneville Avenue and Ogden Avenue.

The Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled to take place April 6 through 8, 2007. The racing portion of the event will take place over a 2.4-mile course winding through the streets of downtown Las Vegas.