Road crews have started the extensive and intrusive work of turning some of Las Vegas’ busiest streets into a 3.8 mile race track for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The 50-lap race and its related events will take place from November 16-18 on portions of Las Vegas Boulevard, Harmon Avenue, Koval Lane, and Spring Mountain Road.
This visual shows the schedule for Formula 1’s initial roadwork, which involves repaving, removing medians, adjusting corners, and preparing for the installation of safety walls. (Image: Formula 1)
The work began on Sunday at Sands Avenue between the Strip and the upcoming MSG Sphere. After that is finished on Friday, April 7, the Strip will be paved between Sunday, April 9-19. Harmon between the Strip and Koval will follow, from May 22-26, followed by Koval from June 11-16. The paddock site will be paved from June 19-30, while the MSG Sphere Zone is scheduled for August 21-25.
Drivers should expect recurrent lane closures with each section of new roadwork.
A final round of track paving, with two inches of F1-approved asphalt, will take place between July 26 and September 15, according to the following schedule:
This visual shows the schedule for the last round of public street conversion into the Las Vegas Grand Prix racetrack. (Image: Formula 1)
At What Cost?
Formula 1 has employed Las Vegas Paving Corp. for a project with an estimated value of at least $74 million. How much public money will go towards that total is a matter that is currently under consideration. In February, despite not knowing the exact amount, Clark County, which governs the Las Vegas Strip, signed a 10-year contract with the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
At the end of the day, the amount of money we receive back is far exceeded by the tourism benefit,” Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom told KSNV-TV/Las Vegas recently, adding that the expense “will practically pay for itself the day the race is over.”
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) claims the race will bring more than $1 billion of economic stimulation to the local economy. And 88 cents on every $100 spent on hotel rooms will reportedly go towards paying off Clark County’s remaining debt for building Allegiant Stadium. The County issued $750 million in municipal bonds for the $1.9 billion project, the rest of which was covered by the Raiders.
