Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez joined officials from the Nevada Department of Transportation as they put a new bridge in place on the Interstate 15 West Mesquite Interchange with new technologies designed to allow for faster completion of the project, resulting in less congestion for travelers. Officials from more than 24 state departments of transportation viewed the demonstration to learn how the advancements could benefit their states.
By using a method known as accelerated bridge construction, workers used prefabricated elements to assemble the bridge and slide it into place during off-peak travel times to minimize the time drivers would face congestion as a result of the construction. FHWA says that in completing this project without restricting traffic on I-15, impact to freight, which accounts for 25 percent of the road users on this corridor, was minimized, and that the $21 million project will improve safety, travel and access by reconstructing the existing I-15 West Mesquite exit.
“By highlighting key innovations, we’re helping keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible, which lets people spend less time in their cars and more time doing things they enjoy,” Mendez says. Through its Highways for LIFE program, FHWA and NDOT partnered to host the Mesquite demonstration in order to share best practices with transportation representatives from more than 24 states across the country.
