The Nevada Department of Transportation is fast-tracked repairs to Interstate 15, south of Mesquite, which was affected by a September 26 flash flood, washing away the roadway and temporarily closing the interstate.

Repairs on I-15 began on September 30 between Mile Marker 111 and 112 and 115, about 75 miles north of Las Vegas, restricting travel to one lane in each direction. The total effected area equals roughly three-quarters of a mile.

Officials say the repairs will take about two weeks compared to where a similar freeway segment could take 12 months or longer to design, build and complete from scratch. "It's a massive logistical undertaking; coordinating men, trucks, and machines; to haul and place material from the quarry to the jobsite, while still ensuring traffic stays open and flowing," said Nevada DOT spokesman Tony Illia.

Twenty-two tractor-trailer trucks are making 300 trips daily to haul and deliver 10,200 tons of aggregate material. Six pieces of heavy machinery, including two bulldozers and two wheel loaders, are helping expedite work. The undertaking will place 45,000 cubic yards of material or enough to fill 450 swimming pools. Construction also calls for 400 tons asphalt, which is the equivalent of filling 533 pickup trucks.

Construction is scheduled to finish by October 17, with I-15 travel resuming unrestricted in each direction.

For updated traffic information, visit the Nevada DOT website.