I-15 reopening north of Las Vegas

ST. GEORGE – A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper led a lineup of about 20 cars on the northbound lanes through the previously closed area of Interstate 15 between the Moapa/Glendale Exit 91 and the Logandale/Overton exit 93 at 4:40 p.m., said Trooper Loy Hixson, NHP public information officer out of Las Vegas.

Southbound lanes were then officially opened at 5 p.m. when a trooper lead a line of cars through the area, Hixson said at the exit 93 overpass.

Northbound traffic was restricted to passenger vehicles only, while the restriction on the southbound lanes is for “oversized and over-dimensional vehicles,” Hixson said.

He explained the reason for the initial escorts was to ensure travelers were fully aware that although the road was open, there were restrictions in place including a 55 mph speed limit.

“The speed limit coming up on the closed area is 75, and we didn’t want anyone thinking they could just keep going like that,” Hixon said. “Also, the southbound traffic has to cross over to the northbound side of the freeway.”

The two open lanes, one in each direction, are separated by a concrete center divider.

According to information from NDOT sent Friday, commercial vehicles will be able to travel northbound on I-15 between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., commercial vehicles heading northbound will continue to be detoured via U.S. 93 between Las Vegas and Utah. Truck detour information will continue to be available through nevadadot.com.

The southbound interstate continues to be repaired and is projected to open the week of Sept. 22, NDOT officials said.

When the interstate is fully repaired, crews will have placed an estimated 15,000 cubic yards of earthwork on northbound and 30,000 to 40,000 cubic yards of earth on the southbound roadway to shore up the base of the eroded interstate, officials said.

Motorists are advised to proceed through the area with caution and leave extra travel time.

I-15 was closed Monday evening after approximately 2 miles of interstate was washed out by floodwaters.

Hardest hit was between mile markers 91 to 93 in the Moapa and Glendale areas.

In the early morning hours following the flood, Las Vegas Paving crews under contract with NDOT began repairs, officials said.

Crews first removed flood debris, then rebuilt the base and ultimately paved eroded sections of northbound interstate.

Initial repair costs are estimated at approximately $5 million, according to NDOT.

Under a state declaration of emergency issued Tuesday by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, the NDOT will apply for federal reimbursement of repair costs.

“The Nevada Department of Transportation and Department of Emergency Management continue to keep me updated, and I thank them and all of the local responders for their swift reaction to this emergency,” Sandoval said in a statement. “The families and communities affected by the damage from the floodwaters remain in my thoughts and prayers.”

“Our top priority is the mobility and safety of motorists,” NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon said in a news release. “Rebuilding and repaving two miles of interstate in just four days has been nothing short of amazing. We’re pleased to say that I-15 is now back open for travel. I appreciate the coordination and cooperation we have had with the Nevada Trucking Association, the Nevada Department of Public Safety and others.”