More than 50,000 vehicles a day normally cross Flamingo Road and Koval Lane. The junction is closed until 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, as crews install a temporary F1 bridge; overnight lane limits and transit detours are also in effect.
More than 50,000 vehicles a day normally pass through the Flamingo Road and Koval Lane intersection. It is closed around the clock through 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, while crews install the temporary Flamingo Vehicular Bridge ahead of the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix. Koval Lane is also part of the 3.8-mile city circuit.
Hotels and businesses nearby remain accessible by designated routes, but drivers passing through the corridor should expect detours. Sidewalk restrictions affect parts of Flamingo Road’s north side as crews work on a pedestrian bridge. The closure comes more than a month before the Nov. 19 to 21 race weekend, not just during race week.
Bridge work shuts the junction
The intersection closure began during the week of Oct. 11, when crews started work on the bridge for the November 2026 Grand Prix. The wider circuit buildout includes temporary lighting and barriers. Grandstands and pedestrian bridges are also part of the work, with walking routes linking the West Harmon and East Harmon fan areas. Another route connects the Koval fan area. Organizers have warned that an incoming storm could affect the installation schedule.
Drivers who do not need to reach nearby properties can avoid the intersection until it reopens. Those heading to a nearby hotel should confirm its access route before setting out. After temporary work on East Flamingo Road, traffic is expected to return in a restricted two-lane format. Circuit restrictions are expected to continue through race weekend. Dismantling the event infrastructure could take about six weeks afterward.
Night work continues elsewhere
Formula 1 construction is narrowing lanes elsewhere on the circuit. On Harmon Avenue, overnight restrictions run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 16, between Las Vegas Boulevard and Koval Lane. One lane in each direction is scheduled to remain open.
Sands Avenue has overnight lane reductions through Oct. 16, between Las Vegas Boulevard and Manhattan Street. Continuous restrictions are also planned near The Palazzo garage during race preparations. One eastbound lane will close between Las Vegas Boulevard and the garage. One westbound lane will close between Manhattan Street and the garage. The north left-turn lane onto Koval Lane will also close. Additional Koval Lane restrictions are scheduled for Oct. 19 to 23, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Rochelle Avenue and Westchester Drive.
Construction of MGM Resorts’ Bellagio Fountain Club near the Bellagio Fountains continues through Nov. 9. Two southbound lanes and the sidewalk along Las Vegas Boulevard, between Flamingo Road and Bellagio Drive, are closed. Hotel access remains open, with periodic lane shifts in place.
Heavy rain affected parts of the Las Vegas area on Oct. 11 and 12 as the city prepared for the race. The National Weather Service office in Las Vegas recorded 1.08 inches of rain that morning, matching the October daily record set on Oct. 12, 1947. East Flamingo Road and Koval Lane were temporarily flooded or closed. Winnick Avenue was also temporarily flooded or closed.
Transit routes face detours
RTC routes 119 and 202 have detours tied to the Flamingo bridge work through Oct. 16. Seven Route 119 stops on Koval Lane, between Rochelle Avenue and Westchester Drive, are scheduled to close around the clock. Temporary service changes across the network are scheduled to run from Oct. 12 through Oct. 25.
The Deuce also has stop closures along Las Vegas Boulevard. Southbound stops are closed on weekdays from midnight to 9 a.m. through Oct. 30. Stop 3590 near Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan remains closed 24 hours a day through Nov. 9. On Sands Avenue, westbound stop 2505 is closed continuously. Eastbound stop 2504 closes overnight through Oct. 16.
Airport journeys have also faced disruption. On Oct. 11, wind and low clouds affected flights at Harry Reid. Possible FAA programs for Monday evening had not been confirmed, according to the airport outlook report.
RTC alerts and detour information are available before travel. Drivers can also check updates through the Las Vegas Grand Prix transportation information service or text F1LV to 31996 for twice-weekly messages. The Flamingo Road and Koval Lane closure is scheduled to end at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
