LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix are underway, bringing extensive road closures, overnight lane restrictions and transit detours to the Las Vegas Strip corridor through late October.
The most significant disruption is a full five-day closure of the busy intersection at Koval Lane and Flamingo Road, which shut down Sunday night and will remain closed around the clock until 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Crews are using the shutdown to install the temporary Flamingo Vehicular Bridge. Business access in the area remains open, while sidewalks on the north side of Flamingo Road face partial closures for pedestrian bridge work.
According to traffic reporter Ken Smith, the closure cuts off an intersection that typically carries more than 50,000 vehicles a day.
Race organizers warned that an incoming storm could also alter the Flamingo Bridge installation timeline, with updates expected if weather forces adjustments.
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Additional corridor restrictions
Motorists will encounter several other traffic restrictions across the circuit footprint over the next two weeks:
- Harmon Avenue: Overnight lane restrictions run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 16 between Las Vegas Boulevard and Koval Lane, maintaining one lane open in each direction.
- Sands Avenue: Overnight reductions run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 16 between Las Vegas Boulevard and Manhattan Street. Through race week, continuous 24/7 closures will shut one eastbound lane between Las Vegas Boulevard and the Palazzo Garage, one westbound lane between Manhattan Street and the Palazzo Garage, and one northbound left-turn lane at Koval Lane.
- Koval Lane: From Oct. 19 through Oct. 23, overnight reductions will trim traffic to one lane each way between Rochelle Avenue and Westchester Drive from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Bellagio Fountain Club construction: MGM Resorts’ setup continues through Nov. 9, closing two southbound lanes and the sidewalk along Las Vegas Boulevard from Flamingo Road to Bellagio Drive. Hotel access remains open with periodic lane shifts.
Public transit impacts
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada announced that between Oct. 12 and Oct. 25, there will be several temporary route detours and stop closures:
- Routes 119 and 202: Detours remain active through Oct. 16 due to the Flamingo Bridge work. Seven Route 119 stops on Koval Lane between Rochelle Avenue and Westchester Drive will close around the clock.
- Las Vegas Boulevard (Deuce): Southbound stops close weekdays from midnight to 9 a.m. through Oct. 30. Stop 3590 near Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan remains closed 24/7 through Nov. 9.
- Sands Avenue: Stop 2505 westbound is closed 24/7, and stop 2504 eastbound closes nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 16.
Riders can check real-time service alerts at the Regional Transportation Commission website on Alerts and Detours or by calling 702-228-RIDE (7433), option 4.
Drivers can monitor schedule updates at the LVGP Transportation information homepage or text “F1LV” to 31996 for twice-weekly SMS updates.
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