Interstate 15 leaves the state of California and enters the state of Nevada. Known as the Silver State because of its history of mining precious metals throughout the state, Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864 (the 36th state to enter the union). Nevada has a total area of 110,567 square miles (seventh largest state) and currently has a population of 1,998,257 (2000 Census). Most Nevada counties allow gambling, including Clark County in southern Nevada. Photo taken 03/28/08.
For its entire journey through Nevada, Interstate 15 remains in Clark County, one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. The Strip, which includes most of the most popular casinos in Las Vegas, is located in unincorporated Clark County, not within the city of Las Vegas. Over 875,000 citizens reside in the unincorporated areas (as of 2008 per the official webpage), and the official total population of the entire county (including cities) was 1,375,765 people as of the 2000 Census. Clark County provides all typical municipal services to residents living outside the five incorporated cities in the Las Vegas Valley. The five incorporated cities are: Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Mesquite. Las Vegas is the county seat. Formed in 1909, Clark County is named for William Andrews Clark (1839-1925), who established the railroad that links Los Angeles with Salt Lake City.1 Photo taken 03/28/08.
Northbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 1, Primm Boulevard. Upon exiting, turn left to Whiskey Pete's casino, and turn right to the outlet shops, Buffalo Bill's, and Primm Valley Resort. Primm, the first town along northbound Interstate 15, is not incorporated, but it features the first major services along Interstate 15 since leaving Baker. In addition, Primm features the first non-Indian gambling along Interstate 15. The lighted bridge in the distance is the tram that connects the casinos on either side of the freeway. For much of its first 30 miles, Interstate 15 passes through the relatively unpopulated Mojave Desert before reaching the fringes of Las Vegas. Photo taken 03/28/08.
A tram that connects the casinos passes over Interstate 15 at the gore point for Exit 1, Primm Boulevard. Photo taken 03/28/08.
This series of photos shows the casinos and hotels on the east side of Interstate 15. The massive roller coaster surrounding Buffalo Bill's casino brings thrill riders to new heights, and it comes very close to Interstate 15. Photo taken 03/28/08.
At the onramp from Primm Boulevard, a third northbound lane is added to Interstate 15; this lane will remain until entering greater Las Vegas. Ahead, Interstate 15 passes under the bridge for the tram that connects the three casinos in Primm together. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The first Interstate 15 north reassurance shield in Nevada is neutered (no state name). There is no through route via old U.S. 91-466 between Primm and Jean (at Exit 12, which is the next exit). At Jean, the old alignment follows Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard north toward Las Vegas. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The group of 287, 345, and ±500kV power lines again cross Interstate 15 after Exit 1 (Primm Boulevard). These power lines last crossed Interstate 15 in California near Yermo (Exit 198, Minneola Road). The first line is the 287kV Hoover - Victorville line. The second two lines are the two 345kV Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's McCullough - Victorville transmission line (part of Path 46/West of Colorado River, Arizona-California West-of-the-River Path [WOR]). The last line of the four is Path 27, the ±500kV Intermountain High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line (hence two bundles of wires rather than three bundles, which is typical of alternating current power lines). Path 27 travels all the way to Delta, Utah. Photo taken 03/28/08.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Jean (11 miles), Sloan (24 miles), and Las Vegas (41 miles). The distance to The Strip and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is shorter than 41 miles since both are located south of downtown Las Vegas. Photo taken 03/28/08.
A long line of subtransmission power lines leads northeast along the Interstate 15 corridor. In the desert, it is easy to see long distances, including dozens of power poles in a line. In the distance is the community of Jean. Photos taken 03/28/08.
A set of 230kV power lines cross over Interstate 15. These lines are owned and operated by Nevada Power, which provides electricity to Southern Nevada. Photos taken 03/28/08.
A motorist services sign for gas available at Exit 12 is the first advance sign prior to entering the unincorporated community of Jean. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The next exit along Interstate 15 north is Exit 12, Junction Nevada 161 north to Jean and Goodsprings (0.75 mile). Like Primm to the south, Jean is an unincorporated area located along Interstate 15 that features food, gas, lodging, and gambling. Goodsprings is a small community located northwest of Interstate 15. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The Gold Strike Hotel and Gambling Hall is the main casino in operation on the east side of the freeway in Jean, and the Nevada Landing was on the west side of the freeway. At the time this photo was taken, the Nevada Landing casino was being demolished (between March and April 2008). MGM Mirage, which owns both casinos, plans to redevelop both sides of the freeway into a planned residential development and a new hotel-casino. Look for changes to Jean in the future. Photo taken 03/28/08.
Northbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 12, Junction Nevada 161 to Jean and Goodsprings. This exit also connects to Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard north (old U.S. 91-466), which serves as a frontage road on the east side of Interstate 15.Photo taken 03/28/08.
The aforementioned Nevada Landing Casino and Hotel, which was built in 1989, was demolished shortly after this photo was taken. A master planned development will take the place of this casino in the future. Photo taken 03/28/08.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Sloan (12 miles at Exit 25), Junction Nevada 146/St. Rose Parkway (14 miles at Exit 27), and Las Vegas (29 miles). Photo taken 03/28/08.
Nearing Milepost 21 is this view of the McCullough Range to the east of Interstate 15. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The next exit along Interstate 15 north is Exit 24, Check Station (equivalent of truck scales or weigh station for trucks and commercial vehicles). Photo taken 03/28/08.
All commercial vehicles must stop at the Check Station when it is open for business. Photo taken 03/28/08.
Rental vehicles and vehicles with livestock must stop at the check station. Access to the check station is provided from both Interstate 15 north and Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard north. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The check station exit is one-half mile ahead (Exit 24); shortly thereafter is the Sloan interchange (Exit 25). Photo taken 03/28/08.
Northbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 24, Check Station. The next exit is Exit 25, Sloan. Photo taken 03/28/08.
Immediately thereafter, Interstate 15 north reaches Exit 25, Sloan. The next exit along northbound is Exit 27, Junction Nevada 146/St. Rose Parkway. At the time this photo was taken, Interstate 15 between Sloan and Nevada 146 was under construction. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 15 is Exit 27, Junction Nevada 146/St. Rose Parkway east to Interstate 215, Henderson, and Lake Mead (one mile). This used to be the Lake Mead Drive exit (until 2001), but the section of Lake Mead Drive west of Interstate 215 was orphaned from the section east of Henderson, so it made sense for Nevada 146 to have a new name (St. Rose Parkway) and for the remainder of Lake Mead Drive to carry a new name and number (Nevada 564/Lake Mead Parkway). Photo taken 03/28/08.
Despite ongoing construction at the Nevada 146 interchange, the connecting ramp to Nevada 146 was open. Look for project completion in June 2008. At that time, the interchange conversion from trumpet to SPUI will be complete, and Interstate 15 will again have three northbound lanes.2 Nevada 146 was widened between Interstate 15 and Interstate 215 to provide a more direct route from Interstate 15 to the burgeoning city of Henderson. Photo taken 03/28/08.
This Interstate 15 Nevada reassurance shield is posted as traffic merges onto Interstate 15 north from Nevada 146. Photo taken 03/28/08.
A mileage sign provides the distance to Las Vegas (14 miles), North Las Vegas (16 miles), and Salt Lake City (452 miles). Photo taken 03/28/08.
The next exit along Interstate 15 north is Exit 31, Silverado Ranch Boulevard. This interchange, which opened in Fall 2007, connects to recently completed housing developments and the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa (which can be seen on the east side of the freeway). Photo taken 03/28/08.
A pair of 230kV power lines pass over Interstate 15 prior to the Silverado Ranch Boulevard interchange. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa comes into view prior to Exit 31, Silverado Ranch Boulevard. New condominiums were under construction at the time this photo was taken. Photo taken 03/28/08.
A massive, towering marquee for the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa comes into view as Interstate 15 passes under the Silverado Ranch Boulevard overpass. This kind of marquee is very common along Interstate 15 along the Las Vegas Strip, and plenty more of these will be visible a bit further north. Photo taken 03/28/08.
"Silverado Ranch Boulevard" is engraved into the side of the overpass in a nice artistic touch. Photo taken 03/28/08.
The next exit along Interstate 15 north is Exit 33, Junction Nevada 160/Blue Diamond Road west to Pahrump (one mile). This is a major interchange, with Nevada 160 traveling west to Spring Mountain Ranch, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Pahrump in Nye County, and ultimately U.S. 95 west of Mercury. Like Nevada 146/St. Rose Parkway, Nevada 160/Blue Diamond Road has seen a major improvement project to improve traffic flow due to the region's incredible population gains over the past ten years. Photo taken 03/28/08.
A variable message sign (VMS) is posted shortly thereafter for changing traffic and weather conditions. Photo taken 03/28/08.
Use Nevada 160 west to Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley National Park (via Nevada 372 west to California 178 or via Nevada 160 west to U.S. 95 north to either Nevada 373 south or Nevada 374 west). Photo taken 03/28/08.
This upcoming exits mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 33, Junction Nevada 160/Blue Diamond Road; Exit 34, Junction Interstate 215/Las Vegas Beltway east and Junction Clark County Route 215/Las Vegas Beltway west; and Exit 36, Russell Road. Photo taken 03/28/08.
Northbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 33, Junction Nevada 160/Blue Diamond Road. To the east, Nevada 160 connects directly to Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard. Photos taken 03/28/08.
The next five exits serve the Las Vegas Strip: Exit 34, Junction Interstate 215/Las Vegas Beltway east and Junction Clark County Route 215/Las Vegas Beltway west; Exit 36, Russell Road; Exit 37, Tropicana Avenue; Exit 38, Flamingo Road; and Exit 39, Spring Mountain Road. At Exit 40 (Sahara Avenue), Interstate 15 will leave unincorporated Clark County and enter the city of Las Vegas. Photo taken 03/28/08.
After passing Exit 33 (Junction Nevada 160/Blue Diamond Road), the next exit along northbound Interstate 15 is Exit 34, Junction Interstate 215/Clark County Route 215. McCarran International Airport may be reached by using Interstate 215 east. Photo taken 02/16/04.
The right lane becomes exit only from Interstate 15 north to Exit 34, Junction Interstate 215/Las Vegas Beltway east to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and Henderson as well as Clark County Route 215/Las Vegas Beltway west. Note the removal of the sign bridge that spanned all lanes between 2004 and 2008. Photos taken 03/28/08 and 02/15/04.
Northbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 34, Junction Interstate 215/Las Vegas Beltway east to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and Henderson as well as Clark County Route 215/Las Vegas Beltway west. To Henderson, the airport, Hoover Dam, Laughlin, U.S. 95, or Arizona, use Interstate 215 east to Interstate 515 south. Photos taken 03/28/08 and 02/15/04.
This view of the collector-distributor lanes for the Interstate 215 interchange is seen from the main lanes of northbound Interstate 15. Note the Interstate 215 shield has the word "LOOP" rather than "NEVADA" in it. Photos taken 03/28/08.
Still on the collector-distributor lanes, this sign indicates the connection to Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard north to the Strip and Interstate 215 east to the airport and Henderson. Photo taken 03/28/08.
Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) District 1 Construction Report: SR 146/Saint Rose Parkway and Interstate 15 Interchange Phase 2A; Project Start: March 2006; Estimated Completion: June 2008; Contract 3290 - Frehner Construction Co. Inc.; $61,242,038.90; SR 146/Saint Rose Parkway in Henderson from Southern Highlands to Gillespie Street
