Getting around in Las Vegas traffic

Regrettably, we moved to Las Vegas, from San Diego, almost two years ago. Back then real-estate looked better in Vegas than it does today. That is not my biggest regret about moving to Vegas. My biggest regret is the traffic nightmare. Traffic is so bad, the Review Journal has their own Road Warrior columnist. Ignoring the obvious traffic on the The Strip, the rest of the city is a giant grid of streets serviced by two freeways and one beltway. The beltway is a future freeway, approximately 55 miles long that runs along the outer edge of the valley bypassing I 15 in the city. It is a mish-mash of part freeway, part expressway with traffic lights that are out of sync. Taking the beltway around the city takes so long it's useless. The I15 from the California/Nevada border leading to Las Vegas has had some major improvements. Lanes have been added and the freeway has been resurfaced. Sadly, the freeways serving the local population are a disgrace. I15 from the north leading into town is 2 lanes constantly jammed with trucks taking up both lanes (the concept of trucks staying in the right lane is non-existent in Las Vegas). 95 has been under construction since at least the mid-90's. Once 95's expansion is complete, it will be time to start over again.

The surface streets are laid out as a giant grid with traffic lights that are not synced. The Regional Transportation Committee of Southern Nevada claims they are starting to sync the traffic signals. The signals are so out of sync, one can sit through six red/green cycles before making it through the light and on to the next light.

I have no hope that road improvements will ever catch up with congestion and growth.

Las Vegas is 15 years behind the technology curve. On-ramp traffic signals are just appearing, though they seem to go on long after the freeway is congested. Overhead indicator signs will soon announce the time to reach major points throughout the valley (now they announce Amber Alerts slowing down cars as they try to read the announcements). Carpool lanes are nowhere to be found.

There is a solution for getting around the (2) freeways, and it's free. If you have a Treo, or PDA/cell phone that allows you to access Google Maps, you can view real-time traffic and avoid congestion (assuming there is an alternate route that is not congested). Point your browser to http://www.google.com/gmm/index.html The download is quick and easy to use.

I miss Southern California rush-hours.