LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Formula 1 is racing back to Las Vegas, bringing road closures along for the ride.
That means the temporary bridge at Flamingo and Koval is going back up — but many area businesses are not on board. Businesses like Las Vegas Souvenirs and Gifts, which has been at the same location for 10 years.
“They put like a wall in front of our business, and nobody can come, nobody can see,” said Jimmy Singh, owner of Las Vegas Souvenirs and Gifts. “This year, they don’t have that much construction, but still, I know like 3 or 4 months, we have to go through the struggle.”
Last time FOX5 spoke to Jimmy, he described the financial hit his business took during the 2023 race weekend and the months of construction surrounding it.
“I see every day I don’t get customers. Before we got almost 200, 300 customers. Now, it’s like only 40 or 50 customers every day. We lost a lot,” he said back in January when the bridge was finally coming down.
Some business owners told FOX5 they were relieved to see it go — but already dreading its return.
“After February, we did pick up. Now it’s another headache that they’re putting everything back. It’s hard to drive down here,” said Sushma Singh, manager of Las Vegas Souvenirs and Gifts. “It’s going to be hard for people to come down this way, and of course, we’re going to lose a lot of business.”
The intersection of Flamingo and Koval will be closed for bridge construction through the night of October 19th, with the Grand Prix itself right around the corner.
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