RTC Releases Las Vegas Traffic Forecast for New Year’s Eve
- Nevada Department of Transportation will start closing freeway ramps and streets beginning 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31.
- RTC offers free rides on all of transit routes from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 9 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
- Read more Travelivery Las Vegas stories on our homepage
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) encourages travelers to plan ahead in anticipation of holiday transit schedules, detours, and heavy traffic delays during New Year’s eve.
The RTC transit system will operate on a Saturday schedule on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31; while the system will run on a Sunday schedule on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, Saturday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2022.
TRANSIT SERVICE DETAILS
The RTC continues its tradition to offer free rides on all of transit routes from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 9 a.m. on New Year’s Day. To help ensure safe roadways, transit riders can board any vehicle on the RTC’s 39 bus routes without purchasing a pass or presenting fare.
The free rides include transit service on major streets throughout the valley, with direct access to and from the Las Vegas Strip. Transit service to both the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas is also offered from the South Strip Transit Terminal (6675 S. Gilespie St.) via the Deuce and the Maryland Parkway Route 109.
In addition to free transit service, the RTC is making transit even more accessible by running additional extended service hours on nine routes, and complete 24-hour service on 14 routes. For complete detour and route details, visit their website.
As is the case every year, commuters can expect heavy traffic delays and are advised to plan for extensive transit detours on New Year’s Eve due to celebrations on the Las Vegas Strip. For those utilizing transit to travel to holiday festivities, the RTC encourages riders to plan their trips ahead of time using the free rideRTC app to access real-time information about bus locations and delays.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department also reminds everyone celebrating New Year’s Eve that strollers, backpacks, glass bottles, and bags larger than a standard grocery bag are not allowed on the Las Vegas Strip.
As a reminder, masks are still required on all RTC buses and in all RTC facilities. In addition to continued cleaning and safety measures implemented through our 14-Point Safety Plan, the RTC has added mobile ticketing, negatively-charged air ion cleaners, and micro-bacterial shields to keep buses clean and keep you safe during the holiday season.
TRAFFIC INFORMATION
The Nevada Department of Transportation will close the following freeway ramps and streets beginning 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, until the Strip reopens to vehicular traffic.
- I-15 north ramp to Tropicana , south of Russell Road
- I-15 north collector distributor road to Tropicana and Frank Sinatra Drive
- I-15 south ramp to westbound and eastbound Tropicana
- I-15 north ramp to eastbound and westbound Flamingo Road
- I-15 south ramp to eastbound and westbound Flamingo Road
- Tropicana east at Dean Martin Drive
- Flamingo Road east at Valley View
- Hotel Rio Drive west at Dean Martin Drive
For those who may be driving in and out of Southern Nevada for the holiday, the RTC encourages drivers to prepare for longer commutes, particularly during peak travel times on I-15 southbound at the Nevada- California state line following the New Year’s Eve holiday.
- 10 m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 2
- 10 m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 3.
Commuters can sign up for traffic alerts on the RTC website to have the most up-to-date traffic information.
About the RTC
The RTC is the transit authority, designated metropolitan planning organization, regional traffic management agency, and administrator of the Southern Nevada Strong comprehensive regional plan for the Las Vegas valley. The RTC’s vision is to provide a safe, convenient and effective regional transportation system that enhances mobility and air quality for citizens and visitors. The RTC encourages residents and visitors to use a variety of transportation choices to help reduce traffic congestion, clean the air and improve the quality of life in Southern Nevada. For more information about the RTC and its major initiatives or to download its transit app rideRTC, visit their website and stay informed by subscribing to our blog
