LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Less than two weeks until the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix returns for year two. While we aren’t seeing the repaving of the entire track like last year, there are still major changes underway and major traffic delays expected to prepare to host the fastest race cars in the world.
Concrete barriers and overhead lights for the nighttime race now line the route. The giant generators that will power the lights have also been brought in.
Drivers reaching speeds up to 215 mph on the Las Vegas Grand Prix track, 3.8 miles in and around the Strip, is something visitors from around the world will be paying top dollar to see. The Bellagio Fountain Club built just for the event looks nearly complete.
Last year, an adhesive film was put up on pedestrian bridges to block the view, but people were able to pull it off. Not this year. The bridges will look much different.
On the pedestrian bridge south of Planet Hollywood over Harmon, the glass is uncovered for now and you’ve got a great view right onto the racetrack but on the nearby pedestrian bridge connecting the Cosmopolitan to Planet Hollywood, there are already barrier put up. There will be no way to see through them. There’s also netting that’s been set up overhead.
Last year during a F1 safety briefing, Metro explained why it’s all necessary.
“We can‘t allow for people to stop the flow of pedestrian traffic during this event and clog up the pedestrian traffic on the bridge and also for the drivers’ safety as well. We can’t allow people to be on the bridges and throw things down onto the track below the bridges.”
People who work on the Strip say they are already seeing major traffic slowdowns.
“It is very chaotic especially around Bellagio and Caesars Palace…your stuck,” explained Abel Torres. Torres expects it only to get worse as race weekend nears.
“I try to leave probably a little over an hour earlier just to be safe. The traffic is very hectic,” Torres shared.
Leading up to this year’s race, F1 launched a website to help people navigate closures around the race: F1 Information
It has the latest on construction affecting the Strip and roads in the surrounding areas of the track.
Here is more on planned closures next week from F1:
FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT™ PREPARATIONS
FOR NOVEMBER 11 – NOVEMBER 17
Upcoming circuit preparations along the Las Vegas Strip Circuit™ include installing track barriers and the Bellagio Fountain Club primarily overnight with lane reductions. Please note that the schedule is subject to change, and residents are encouraged to utilize the interactive website in English or Spanish at transportation.f1lasvegasgp.com. Circuit preparations are also integrated into the Waze app.
Additionally, text updates, in English or Spanish are sent every Sunday and Wednesday. Residents are encouraged to opt-in by texting “F1LV” to “31996”.
LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD
- Nightly lane reductions from midnight to noon will continue Tuesday through Friday until November 15 on Las Vegas Boulevard from Sands Avenue to Harmon Avenue for track barrier installation. One travel lane in each direction will always be open. During the daytime, Las Vegas Boulevard will be in cold track configuration due to track lighting and barriers restricting southbound Las Vegas Boulevard to two through lanes, restrictions to left turns at Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue, and various property access drives will be closed along Las Vegas Boulevard. Signal modifications will be in place along Las Vegas Boulevard. The installation of the Bellagio Fountain Club continues through November 20 with two southbound lane closures on Las Vegas Boulevard from Flamingo Road to Bellagio Drive. Entrance and egress of the Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino will remain open, with periodic lane shifts expected.
- The sidewalk between Flamingo Road and Bellagio Drive will remain closed to pedestrians. Guests can use nearby pedestrian bridges and sidewalks on the other side of Las Vegas Boulevard.
- For additional information, please contact MGM Resorts.
INSTALLATION OF ENCLOSURES TO EXISTING PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES OVER LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD
Two pedestrian bridges will be closed overnight from Midnight to 9:00 a.m. and will be open outside of these hours.
- Bellagio to Horseshoe pedestrian bridge at Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard November 12 – 14
- The east pedestrian bridge at Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard: November 12 – 14.
SANDS AVENUE
- Nightly lane reductions for SAFER barrier installation continue from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sunday – Friday through November 15 on Sands Avenue from Las Vegas Boulevard to Manhattan Street. One travel lane in each direction will always be open during the overnight closures. During the daytime, Sands Avenue will be in cold track configuration, with adjusted traffic patterns due to the presence of track lighting and barriers. The three bus stops along Sands Avenue will remain closed.
KOVAL LANE
- Koval Lane from Rochelle Avenue to Harmon Avenue closed all hours from November 16-25.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Nightly two-lane closures continue at various circuit locations for temporary advertising and gantry installation until November 15.
- Nightly single-lane closures continue at various circuit locations for track lighting testing and commissioning until November 15.
**RTC TRANSIT UPDATES STARTING NOVEMBER 11
Beginning at midnight on Monday, November11, until further notice, from Sands Avenue to Flamingo Road:
- Stop 1403 – Las Vegas Boulevard at Treasure Island
- Stop 1376 – Las Vegas Boulevard at The Mirage
- Stop 1339 – Las Vegas Boulevard at Caesars Palace
Beginning at midnight on Wednesday, November 13, until further notice, from Flamingo Road to Harmon Avenue:
- Stop 3590 – Las Vegas Boulevard at Bellagio
Barrier Installation taking place on Sands Avenue will result in 24/7 stop closures, until further notice:
- Stop 2505 – Westbound Sands Avenue after Koval Lane
- Stop 2572 – Westbound Spring Mountain Avenue after Las Vegas Boulevard.
- Stop 2504 – Eastbound Sands Avenue after Koval Lane
The routes below will be detoured ahead of the F1 race. CLICK HERE to download route detour maps.
Beginning on Saturday, November 16
- Route 119 (Simmons/Koval)
Beginning on Tuesday, November 19
- Route 202 (Flamingo)
- Route 203 (Spring Mountain)
- Deuce on the Strip
- Centennial Hills Express
For specific details about bus stop closures, visit rtcsnv.com/alertsanddetours or call 702-228-7433 *4.
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About FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
Established in 2023, the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX is co-promoted by Formula 1® and Liberty Media Corporation, in collaboration with Clark County. The 50-lap race takes place on a 3.8-mile circuit in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip and sees drivers reach jaw-dropping speeds of over 215 mph (346 kph) as they drive around some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, hotels, and casinos. Through the Las Vegas Grand Prix Foundation, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. has donated nearly $1 million to local organizations and programs across the state and is committed to providing resources that directly address some of the most pressing challenges facing local families and communities. The 2024 race will take place on November 21-23, 2024. For more information, visit www.f1lasvegasgp.com.
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