Interstate 515

Interstate 515 (I-515) is a spur of Interstate 15 that runs from the junction of I-15, US 93 and US 95 (the Spaghetti Bowl Interchange) near Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada approximately 20 miles (32 km) southeast to Railroad Pass near the borders of Henderson and Boulder City.

I-515 exists concurrently with U.S. Routes 93 and 95 along its entire length.

History

The freeway, which began construction in 1982, is a continuation of the Oran K. Gragson Freeway (named for the former Las Vegas mayor who advocated for the construction of the then Las Vegas Expressway) which ran primarily along the former West Fremont Street alignment between Las Vegas Boulevard and Rainbow Boulevard. The spur was completed southeast to Charleston Boulevard (SR 159) in 1984, to Tropicana Avenue (SR 593) by 1986, to Russell Road by 1988 and to Lake Mead Drive (SR 564) by 1990. By 1994, the entire freeway was completed to Boulder Highway, just south of Wagonwheel Drive. Although the I-515 designation was first granted in 1990 from I-15 to Boulder Highway (at exit 70), the route was not signed consistently throughout until the freeway reached Railroad Pass in 1994. It is speculated that the I-515 designation could be extended south around Boulder City along the future US 93/Boulder City Bypass. There is also the speculation this freeway could become part of a proposed Interstate 11 to Phoenix (indeed, Phoenix is the first control city on southbound I-515's pull-through sign at exit 75B, and reflects the concurrent signing as US 93 and US 95).

Prior to the completion of the freeway, US 93 and US 95 originally followed Fremont Street / Boulder Highway from downtown Las Vegas southeast through Henderson towards to Boulder City. Boulder Highway was signed as a business route of US 93/95 after the freeway was completed, but that designation has since been removed; it is now just State Route 582.

Despite being designated and signed for several years, most Las Vegas residents refer to the I-515 freeway as "US 95". This is due to the continuation of US 95 as a separate freeway west and north of I-15 (I-515 ends at I-15, while US 93 joins I-15). Some people incorrectly refer to the freeway as I-95.

Exit list

Exits on I-515 are numbered according to US 95 mileposts. The entire route is in Clark County.

References

External links

• Interstate Guide: I-515 Nevada
• Nevada Department of Transportation I-515 Corridor Study