Cone On! 215 Beltway In Las Vegas To Begin Nearly Two Year Project
Here’s a challenge for you… try to drive anywhere for five minutes in Las Vegas without seeing a single traffic cone. It’s impossible. Now… another major road project is sure…
Here's a challenge for you... try to drive anywhere for five minutes in Las Vegas without seeing a single traffic cone. It's impossible. Now... another major road project is sure to affect anyone that travels around the 215 Beltway at Interstate 15 in the south Las Vegas valley.
Starting in July, the Nevada Department Of Transportation will begin a project that plans to widen the 215 between the Interstate and Decatur Boulevard. They don't expect the cones to disappear in the area until February... 2025!
Here's what over $84,000,000 will buy you:
- An additional lane of traffic in either direction between Interstate 15 and Decatur (total of four each way)
- 215 Westbound offramp to Decatur gets re-done
- Valley View Boulevard bridge gets tweaked
- New lighting
Construction is expected to go from morning rush hour until just before the evening rush hour. So if you live in the southwest, there's a chance you'll go through this zone as well as the Interstate 15/Tropicana Avenue construction zone as well. Lucky!
But wait, Las Vegas! There's more!
It's ironic that with Las Vegas "swallowing" all these new residents, our "belt" needs to grow.
Another NDOT project further west at the 215 Beltway and Summerlin Parkway interchange is set to start later this year as well. That project will see an entire reimagining of the colliding freeways at an intersection that, frankly, seems pretty tame and unworthy of the update so soon. But better now than when points west of the intersection are developed out, we guess.
So there it is, Las Vegas. Any dreams (or hallucinations) you had of the valley going cone-less in the not to distant future should be dashed. You'll have to wait for flying cars, and even then... they'll find a way to make those cones float.
Listen to Aimee+Shawn weekday mornings from 6-10 on 102.7 VGS
Nevada Ranks In Bottom 10 For Worst States To Drive In
We don't want Nevada to become one of the worst states to drive in but unfortunately it's out of our control. Most people don't like driving in traffic and if you're someone who says you do we would think you're crazy.
Las Vegas has roughly two million people in it and the routes to get anywhere are averaging 20 to 30 minutes which isn't horrible, for now. We don't want the California transplants to clog up our roads causing drive times to increase. Plus, traffic causes other problems including car wrecks, lateness, mechanical issues and a slue of other things.
A new study has just been released by our friends at Wallethub on "2023 Best & Worst States To Drive In." The data showcases positive driving experiences in congruent with 31 key metrics.
Four of their main categories are: Cost of ownership and maintenance, traffic and infrastructure, safety and access to vehicles and maintenance. Total scores were taken from the weighted average of each metric which is how the order of the states were placed. All categories except the "Total score" were ranked with a 1 meaning the best and 100 meaning the worst.
The top 5 states for the "best" driving experience rank as:
5. North Carolina 60.65
4. Oklahoma 60.81
3. Ohio 61.38
2. Georgia 61.41
1. Iowa 62.61
Iowa, had the highest overall score from all 50 states. Just a reminder, the total score is not calculated in the 1 to 100 ranking system. The state ranked a 7 in cost of ownership, 9 in traffic and infrastructure, 35 in safety and a 19 in access to vehicles and maintenance, making it the top destination to drive in. Other states may need to take a note from Iowa's road regulations and policies.
The state with the most rush hour traffic is California and the state with the least amount is West Virginia.
So what are the worst states to drive in and where does Nevada rank? We are glad you asked!
7) Nevada
Total Score: 49.91
Cost of ownership and maintenance: 48
Traffic and infrastructure: 15
Safety: 9
Access to vehicles and maintenance: 37
6) Missouri
Total Score: 48.72
Cost of ownership and maintenance: 28
Traffic and infrastructure: 29
Safety: 50
Access to vehicles and maintenance: 15
5) Maryland
Total Score: 48.09
Cost of ownership and maintenance: 37
Traffic and infrastructure: 50
Safety: 19
Access to vehicles and maintenance: 22
Gerald Matzka/Getty Images for Netflix/Jason Kempin/Getty Images4) Rhode Island
Total Score: 47.84
Cost of ownership and maintenance: 45
Traffic and infrastructure: 46
Safety: 5
Access to vehicles and maintenance: 45
3) Delaware
Total Score: 47.50
Cost of ownership and maintenance: 44
Traffic and infrastructure: 36
Safety: 11
Access to vehicles and maintenance: 49
2) Washington
Total Score: 47.48
Cost of ownership and maintenance: 47
Traffic and infrastructure: 39
Safety: 20
Access to vehicles and maintenance: 16
1) Hawaii
Total Score: 40.28
Cost of ownership and maintenance: 50
Traffic and infrastructure: 43
Safety: 6
Access to vehicles and maintenance: 38
Here’s What You Missed On Aimee+Shawn This Week
That's the end of another week on Aimee+Shawn and man are our... legs... tired.
On Monday, Shawn, 102.7 VGS afternoon host Sammi and several other members of the Beasley Media Group family laced up their shoes and headed to The STRAT. The group went up 1,455 steps to go from the bottom to the top of the famed Las Vegas landmark for Scale The STRAT benefitting the American Lung Association. Shawn did finish but it turns out he was one of the slowest times of the day. 602nd out of 622 competitors. Yikes.
The showing for Shawn was so bad, he finally broke. With Aimee on her keto kick, and Sammi planning to get fit and try out to be a Raiderette, Shawn (who was the one person on the staff that really needs to get healthier) decided to get on board.
Aimee couldn't make the event (but she climbed every step last week). Instead she went out to Mesquite for her son's football tournament. That tournament turned out to be a big, dramatic disaster that had fists flying, parking lots inescapable, and more insanity.
Meanwhile, Aimee's friend is going to inherit some property... but that friend's wife is already calling dibs, and that friend's parents aren't quite dead yet. Awkward.
The show also took on the biggest issue going on behind the scenes at 102.7 VGS... reply all emailers. The ones that find it necessary to send "Thanks!" to 112 fellow employees.
Finally, in a heartwarming moment, Aimee+Shawn read a book to all the schools at once for Nevada Reading Week.
What's coming up this week on Aimee+Shawn?
The show returns Monday with a concert ticket double down all week! Two times during each show, listen and win tickets to not only Gorillaz at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood... but also Red Hot Chili Peppers at Allegiant Stadium! See you Monday!
Listen to Aimee+Shawn weekday mornings from 6-10 on 102.7 VGS
Shawn Nearly Finished Last In 'Scale The STRAT'
He came, he saw, he barely finished. Shawn tackled Scale The STRAT benefitting the American Lung Association and while he did make 1,455 steps... his finishing time didn't set any records. Even close.
Movies That Haven't Been Made Yet
Shawn got a chance to see Cocaine Bear and he absolutely loved it. The movie was "based on a true story" but it turns out... it was barely based on a true story. Is there another barely based on a true story story that has yet to be told?
Drama On And Off The Field For Aimee's Son's Football Tournament
Fighting over parking spots. Fighting on the field. It was a mess over the weekend in Mesquite, and it led to Aimee and her fam going home early.
The Ol' Gold Ring For Gas Money Trick
Shawn was pulling out of the station and a guy pulled next to him in a panic... needing gas money... motioning towards his gold ring... and he knew it was a scam.
The Lengths Aimee+Shawn Went To Not Pay For Entertainment
AT&T Sportsnet is shutting down soon, but Shawn hasn't been able to legally watch the network in a while. The two talk about the things we've done to watch what we want to watch...without paying.
Who Cleans Up The 'Sick' In Your House?
It was a sweet moment with Shawn's son sitting on his lap... then... in an instant... he exploded. Vomited everywhere. Aimee asked who cleaned because whenever someone ralphs in her house, she's on cleaning duty.
Shawn's No Good Very Bad Overnight Camp Story
It was a dark and frightful night the one day that Shawn was in overnight camp. He recounts the horrifying twilight he spent at a summer camp that led to counselors getting fired and his back itching a lot.
Selling Things On Facebook Marketplace Is Painful
Four months. That's how long Shawn had items up on Facebook Marketplace without a taker. He finally snapped over the weekend and sold his stuff at 10 cents on the dollar.
It's Not Yours Until They Die
Aimee's friend is getting an inheritance. Aimee's friend's wife is already calling that inheritance "theirs". Only one problem... Aimee's friends parents are still alive.
Shawn Is Tired Of Being Out Of Shape
Shawn's embarrassing showing at Scale The STRAT finally made him snap. He's on a mission to get healthier...
Making Your Kids Walk To School In The Snow
It's been snowing in the area... like, a lot! Aimee's hubby has no problem making their son walk to school in it...
Reply All Emails Should Be Thrown Into The Pits Of Hell
There is a scourge that has taken over the 102.7 VGS inboxes... unnecessary reply all emails.
Kids Say The Darnedest Things...
After reading to some classes for Nevada Reading Week, Aimee realized quickly that kids today are way sharper and funnier than we were.
Aimee+Shawn Read 'Giraffes Can't Dance' To The Kids...
Speaking of Nevada Reading Week, while both Aimee and Shawn are speaking to kids this week, they decided to read a book to the entire city at once... and it's a classic.
Parts Of The House You Just Don't Use
Think about it... there are parts of the house you just never get to. The cabinets over the fridge? WHO USES THOSE?!
Teachers That Had It Out For Us
Shawn recounts the one teacher in high school that never seemed to give him a fair shake. Aimee had a teacher like that too. Turns out... we all have.
