UPDATE: The Nevada Department of Transportation says US-395 is now reopen after crews began the demolition of the bridge that connects Parr and Dandini Boulevards.

Officials say single lane traffic will be diverted to the ramps while mainline US-395 will remain closed. 

Officials advise commuters to use and alternate route. 

For a list of all road construction, click here.

 

 

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Crews are set to close U.S. 395 in both directions, starting Friday night at 7:00 p.m. to begin demolition of the bridge that connects Parr and Dandini Boulevards.

The closure will last all weekend and the road is scheduled to reopen Monday at 5:00 a.m. In the meantime, drivers will use the ramps as a detour. There will not be access from the two streets during the closure. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is asking drivers to use an alternate route if possible.

"We recommend and ask that all drivers need to travel in that area to detour via North Virginia Street," Meg Ragonese, NDOT Public Information Officer said.

The bridge is 48 years old and is showing some wear and tear. Ragonese says the bridge needs to be replaced because it is structurally unsound and because the new bridge will allow future improvements on Highway 395. The current bridge is 50 feet wide. The new one will be 56 feet.

"We're going to be able to widen southbound 395 by adding one additional lane and we're actually going to add auxiliary lanes or merge lanes to both directions of the highway as well, just north of North McCarran," Ragonese said.

NDOT plans on making those improvements, starting in 2023 to make up for the additional traffic from a growing population in the north valleys.

"There are approximately 80,000 drivers who travel 395 in this area into the North Valleys," Ragonese said.

The new bridge will cost more than $8 million and it is slated for completion in November. In the meantime, drivers who use the bridge for their daily commutes will have to find alternate routes.

"I won't be able to take the bridge, which I take every day and I'll have to go all the way around," Steven Gronstal said.

Gronstal lives on the west side of the bridge, off Virginia St. When the ramps are closed, he will have to use Clear Acre Lane as his alternate route to work, doubling his 5-10 minute commute.

"I expect it to take 10 to 20 going the long way around, which is still a very reasonable commute," Gronstal said.

Gronstal says he has noticed the deficiencies on the bridge and agrees that improvements are needed.

"It's an inconvenience tomorrow for hopefully something more efficient and better in the future," Gronstal said.

During construction of the new bridge, drivers can expect some night-time lane closures and intermittent ramp closures. During the day, most drivers should have access to Parr or Dandini Boulevards, depending on which direction they are driving.