Preparations for this year’s Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix will begin next week on the 3.8-mile circuit on mostly public roads around the Strip.
Initial work begins at 9 p.m. Wednesday, with an overnight lane reduction until 6 a.m. Thursday, on Koval Lane at Rochelle Avenue, grand prix officials announced Friday. During that time, Koval in both directions will be shut to traffic at around 2 a.m., with traffic temporarily halted. The closures are needed for crews to be able to install a pedestrian bridge over Koval.
Between Sept. 7 and Sept. 18, Harmon Avenue between Las Vegas Boulevard and Koval Lane will see overnight lane reductions, with only one lane in each direction open between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., nightly. The lane restrictions are needed for crews to begin installing track lighting along Harmon.
As was the case last year, officials say they will try to keep track-related work to the overnight hours to minimize traffic disruptions. The 3.8-mile circuit runs mainly on Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval and Harmon and Sands avenues. This year’s race is scheduled for Nov. 19-21.
The biggest traffic disruption created by race infrastructure work — the building of the temporary Flamingo Road vehicular bridge — will begin in October. Crews will build the massive bridge on Flamingo over Koval Oct. 11-16, leading to a full closure of the intersection during that time.
F1 inked a new 10-year deal with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Clark County, kicking off in 2027, to host the race annually on the weekend before Thanksgiving through 2037.
As part of those agreements, grand prix officials will add permanent race infrastructure, especially on Las Vegas Boulevard, to speed up the process of setting and dismantling the course for future races.
As part of the LVCVA deal, the city’s tourism arm will pay F1 $10 million annually to sponsor the race.
Motorists can stay up to date on the latest race-related road work by texting “F1LV” to 31996 to receive a twice-weekly text on pending traffic implications and by checking the grand prix’s transportation website at transportation.f1lasvegasgp.com.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
