Nevada OKs $60 Million for ‘Project Neon’ Work

The state Transportation Board recently approved $60-million for preliminary work on Project Neon, the state's largest proposed road job, while simultaneously ratcheting oversight of department contracts. Project Neon calls for improving a 3.7-mile stretch of Interstate-15 between Sahara Avenue and the U.S. 95/515 "Spaghetti Bowl" interchange in Las Vegas, which sees 257,800 cars daily.

Last year, the Federal Highway Administration gave approval to conduct environmental studies for Project Neon, thereby freeing the Nevada Department of Transportation to start final design and construction. The $60-million will be used to acquire 93 acres of needed right-of-way land and perform preliminary engineering. Relocation of 7,800-ft of electrical lines, and 4,000-ft of a 36-in.-dia. water line under Oakey/Wyoming Avenue, will follow.

Read more: Nevada OKs $60 Million for ‘Project Neon’ Work

Mega-Drill 'Big Stan' Performs on The Strip

The Las Vegas Strip is crowded with big-time performers, but few are as huge as Big Stan. Thought to be the world's largest truck-mounted drill, Big Stan is flexing its muscles south of the Strip on a $252.5-million, 7-mile-long widening of Interstate 15.

The 250,000-lb, 93-ft-high boring behemoth was built in 1986 by Anderson Drilling, Lakeside, Calif., now a part of London-based Keller Group PLC. The mega-machine, which cost $1.5 million to construct, is named after 6-ft, 3-in.-tall Stan Anderson, who retired as company president in 2006.

“It didn't take long to realize that what you could buy in the marketplace wasn't adequate enough for the hard ground in Las Vegas,” says Anderson. “The bigger the rig, the more work you can get done.” The region's caliche-laden soil often requires heavy drills, trenchers and blasters to break up the sedimentary rock."

Read more: Mega-Drill 'Big Stan' Performs on The Strip

Neon Museum breaks ground

The Las Vegas Neon Museum’s future is looking brighter. On May 12, local officials gathered for a ceremonial ground breaking on a permanent home for the city’s electric sign history at Las Vegas Boulevard North and McWilliams Street, adjacent to Cashman Center. The project creates a visitor’s center by marrying the historic 50-year-old La Concha motel lobby with a new 2,200-sq-ft addition designed by Westar Architects.

The building will serve as a gateway to “The Boneyard” – a 3-acre property that houses 150 neon signs in various stages of restoration. The museum currently has four employees housed across the street in the Reed Whipple Cultural Center at 821 North 

Read more: Neon Museum breaks ground

Smith Center Bell Tower Tops Off

An arrangement of skilled craftspeople recently erected the stainless steel spire atop a 16-story bell tower at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Las Vegas. The Art-Deco style designed cap marks the highest point at the $470 million still under construction music and performance complex at Grand Central Parkway and Bonneville Avenue. HKS Inc. is executive architect, with David M. Schwarz as design architect. The 170-ft-high tower will house 46 bronze cast carillon bells with a combined weight of 29,500 lbs.

The project consists of two buildings, on 4.75 acres, including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall with 23 box balconies and a 100-person orchestra pit. There is also a 300-seat cabaret theater overlooking a two-acre park and a 200-seat studio theater for 

Read more: Smith Center Bell Tower Tops Off