Ask anyone who frequents the Las Vegas Strip, and they will almost assuredly tell you how time consuming and frustrating it can be to cross Las Vegas Boulevard by way of walking. Pedestrian bridges were built, a concept used all along the strip. There were also people-movers too, but have become obsolete, due to frequent break downs.
However, with MGM Resorts International’s 20,000 seat arena opening next year, the surge in foot traffic at Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard will need to be accommodated, and according to the Nevada Transportation Department, it’s currently a losing battle. The plan set in motion is to upgrade bridges, escalators, and elevators along the strip. John Terry, the Nevada Transportation Department’s assistant director of engineering, told the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority the project is at least six months behind schedule.
The Tropicana is also unintentionally holding plans up with their own design of an adjoining retail-based entrance, around the bridge structures. The plan was originally conceived by NDOT in 2013, and completed in July 2014. The resorts set to be affected asked for a few aesthetic changes, and the project, intended to begin this spring, will be pushed back to the fall or winter.
A 2007 law requires that a portion of all room taxes go towards the marketing of tourism and support tourism-enhancing state highway projects. There is roughly $19.6 million in bonding capacity let for another project, which led to the authority agreeing on an upgrade of 16 escalators. Terry said Tropicana representatives have indicated they want the overpass designed in a way to connect their retail area similar to the Bellagio at Flamingo and Las Vegas Boulevard.
