A $160 million construction project to widen a three-mile section of the 215 Beltway in Henderson officially broke ground on May 28, 2025. The infrastructure upgrade aims to increase capacity and ease traffic congestion between Pecos Road and Stephanie Street.
The project will expand the freeway from three lanes and an auxiliary lane in each direction to five lanes and an auxiliary lane. The Nevada Department of Transportation, the City of Henderson, and Clark County are collaborating on the initiative, which also includes upgrades to on- and off-ramps at Pecos Road, Green Valley Parkway, Valle Verde Drive, and Stephanie Street. These upgrades will involve adding new turn lanes at each interchange to improve traffic flow.
City officials noted that this section of the Beltway is one of the most congested, due in part to the area’s rapid growth. Between 2010 and 2020, Henderson’s population grew by 60,000 residents, an increase of 25 percent. Mayor Michelle Romero described the widening project as an essential investment to support the city’s long-term mobility. “This section currently experiences congestion due to the rapid population growth of the entire region, which has increased current traffic volume to exceed the roadway’s capacity,” Romero said during the groundbreaking.
215 Beltway Widening Project in Henderson: Construction Scope and Phasing
Construction will begin with the installation of barrier rails along the route, after which crews will begin earthwork and utility relocations. According to City Engineer Steven Conner, early stages will involve removing roadside slopes and installing retaining walls, along with underground utility work.
Las Vegas Paving is the project’s lead contractor. The construction bid came in at $145 million, with an additional $15 million set aside for labor costs and contingencies, bringing the total to $160 million. Funding comes from Clark County’s Master Transportation Improvement Fund.
Work is expected to last two years and nine months, with most construction taking place behind the barriers to limit disruptions to daytime traffic. Nighttime work may require temporary lane reductions to two lanes in each direction, according to the City.
Read also: Kiewit Hired as Construction Manager for $800M I-55 Bridge Replacement
Green Valley Parkway Interchange and Pedestrian Bridge
The project includes major changes to the Green Valley Parkway interchange with the 215. Plans call for the intersection to be reconfigured into a diverging diamond interchange, a traffic design that allows vehicles to turn left onto freeway on-ramps without crossing opposing lanes. This design improves traffic efficiency and safety while avoiding demolition of the existing bridge.
Construction on the interchange can begin any time after January 1, 2026, and must be completed within the overall project timeline. Henderson previously implemented a similar diverging diamond design at Horizon Drive and Horizon Ridge Parkway over Interstate 11/U.S. 95 in 2015.
In addition to the interchange, the project includes a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Green Valley Parkway at Village Walk Drive, just south of the 215. The bridge will allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross between the two sides of The District at Green Valley Ranch, while also providing a dedicated crossing for the 215 Beltway Trail.
Conner said the bridge will eliminate the need for pedestrian signals at that location, which currently extend traffic light cycles even when no pedestrians are present. “With the bridge, we won’t have to time the walker,” he said. “So, you’ll get a green [light] longer at Village Park Drive.”
Part of an Ongoing Corridor Expansion
This project is the latest in a series of improvements along the 215 Beltway. Other sections have been widened in recent years, including from Pecos Road to Windmill Avenue, and from Interstate 15 in the south valley to Charleston Boulevard in Summerlin.
Officials say the Pecos-to-Stephanie segment will address a key bottleneck and improve daily travel for residents and businesses throughout the Henderson area.
Read also: Balfour Beatty Wins $889M Contract to Rebuild Stretch of I-30 Through Dallas
215 Beltway Widening Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: 215 Beltway between Pecos Road and Stephanie Street, Henderson, Nevada
Length: 3-mile section
Total Cost: $160 million
Groundbreaking: May 28, 2025
Duration: 2 years, 9 months
Project Scope
Roadway Expansion
Current Configuration: 3 lanes + 1 auxiliary lane (each direction)
Future Configuration: 5 lanes + 1 auxiliary lane (each direction)
Capacity Increase: Expands from 4 to 6 total lanes per direction
Infrastructure Improvements
Upgrades to four major interchanges:
Pecos Road
Green Valley Parkway
Valle Verde Drive
Stephanie Street
Addition of new turn lanes at each interchange
Installation of retaining walls and barrier systems
Underground utility relocations
215 Beltway Widening Project: Key Features
Green Valley Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange
Design: Allows left turns onto freeway on-ramps without crossing opposing traffic
Benefits: Improved traffic efficiency and safety
Construction Window: January 1, 2026 or later
Precedent: Similar design implemented at Horizon Drive/Horizon Ridge Parkway (2015)
Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge
Location: Over Green Valley Parkway at Village Walk Drive
Purpose: Safe crossing between sides of The District at Green Valley Ranch
Additional Benefit: Dedicated crossing for 215 Beltway Trail
Traffic Impact: Eliminates pedestrian signals, extending green light cycles
Funding and Contracting
Total Budget: $160 million
Construction Contract: $145 million
Labor and Contingencies: $15 million
Funding Source: Clark County Master Transportation Improvement Fund
Lead Contractor: Las Vegas Paving
Construction Timeline and Impact
Phase 1: Preparation
Barrier rail installation
Earthwork and slope removal
Utility relocations
Read also: MTA Begins Construction on New Long Island Rail Road Station in Yaphank, NY
