Traffic was heavy around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for NASCAR this weekend but it's expected to get better in the next few years.
The Nevada Department of Transportation is undertaking a nearly $40 million project to widen Interstate 15 between Craig Road and Speedway Boulevard. They're hoping that widening the roadway from four to six lanes could help ease traffic troubles during large events like the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which brings in hundreds of thousands of people.
There's "the increased traffic flow, Speedway events, and really the development that's started happening in the north edge of the valley," said Tony Illia, with the Nevada Department of Transportation.
And even after NASCAR, other high profile events come to the Speedway, such as Electric Daisy Carnival. EDC also brings in hundreds of thousands of people to the area and turns I-15 into a parking lot.
Construction is expected to start this summer on I-15 but likely after EDC exits town. However, in future years, it could ease congestion in the area.
The 4.8-mile project is expected to be complete by mid-2018.
