Question of the Day - 20 July 2017

Basically, you will have to take the long way around, going from the Trop to MGM (if that is your destination) or from the Tropicana to New York-New York by way of Excalibur. The Nevada Department of Transportation explained it thusly:

“The east Tropicana Avenue pedestrian bridge over Las Vegas Boulevard between the Tropicana and MGM Grand hotel casinos opened on June 29. The project is part of a $30 million upgrade to the 22-year-old pedestrian bridges at Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard that began last year. Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. is the construction manager at-risk, with Jacobs as engineer and Studio West as architect. Construction is still occurring on the north [MGM/NY-NY] pedestrian bridge, with public access being closed starting on July 5. Pedestrian traffic will be diverted using the three open pedestrian bridges at the intersection. The north bridge will remain closed until all construction activities are completed in late September. 

“Meanwhile, public access to the west [Excalibur-NY-NY] bridge stairs, escalators, and elevators will close on July 10. However, the bridge deck will remain open with public access from the New York-New York and Excalibur hotel casinos. West bridge public access will close once the north bridge opens late September. Traffic control around the bridges will be ongoing each Sunday night through Friday morning between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.Construction is occurring in the middle of the intersection, extending roughly 1,200 feet in each direction from the intersection midpoint. At least two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction; traffic cones will be removed when work isn’t occurring. Saturday and Sunday will see unrestricted traffic access. 

“The project calls for replacing 16 escalators (four at each corner) with new state-of-the-art equipment, while installing new, low-energy glass and air-conditioning units to the elevators. Aesthetic bridge improvements entail placing new, tempered-glass wind screens and polished-aluminum-composite-material panel cladding as well as new, lighted, hand railings. ‘These are the first and oldest pedestrian bridges in Southern Nevada, serving roughly 130,000 pedestrians a day, making them one of the busiest crossings in the state,’ said NDOT spokesman Tony Illia. ‘This project will greatly improve the safety and efficiency of pedestrian traffic flows, while creating a sleek, contemporary look that injects some new glamour to the Strip.’ The 16-foot-wide, 165-foot-long concrete-and-steel structures each have 17-foot clearance heights. The bridges provide crucial connections between the MGM Grand, Tropicana, Excalibur and New York-New York hotel casinos. The project schedule has been accelerated to finish by late December. To receive project updates, text TROPESCALATOR to 22828 from your mobile device, or email tropicanaescalatorproject@gmail.com"

Any questions?