Client: Nevada Department of Transportation (NVDOT)
Project: Project Neon
Location: Interstate 15/”Spaghetti Bowl” interchange, Las Vegas, Nevada
Completion Date: May 2019
Landscape Architect: Lage Design Inc.
Contractor: Kiewit
MSE Panels: RECO
Precaster: Western Pacific
Project Neon addressed Nevada’s most congested highway corridor, which was experiencing:
300,000 vehicles daily (equivalent to one-tenth of Nevada’s population)
25,000 lane changes per hour
Three crashes per day on average
Projected traffic doubling by 2035
As the sole freeway link between southern California and southern Utah, the I-15 serves a critical role, and this 3.7-mile stretch required significant upgrades to meet current demands and future growth while improving safety and traffic flow.
The nearly $1 billion initiative—Nevada’s largest and most expensive public works project—required a comprehensive approach that would:
Enhance Safety:
Reduce the high accident rate through improved highway design
Increase Capacity:
Accommodate growing traffic volumes
Create Visual Identity:
Transform utilitarian infrastructure into a distinctive landmark
Reflect Regional Character:
Incorporate design elements that resonate with Las Vegas’s unique identity
Spanning nearly two decades from conception to completion, Project Neon progressed through several key phases:
Planning & Design Development:
Extensive engineering and aesthetic planning to address both functional requirements and visual impact
Production & Installation:
Coordinated manufacturing and construction processes to ensure consistency across the massive project site
Material Selection:
Spec Formliners collaborated with the design team to develop custom form liner patterns that would:
Create visual interest for drivers
Reference regional landscape patterns
Perform well in extreme desert conditions
Maintain durability and appearance over time
Spec Formliners provided custom form liner solutions for:
MSE Wall Panels:
Creating textured surfaces that add visual interest and reduce the perceived mass of large retaining walls
Structural Elements:
Providing distinctive patterns on bridge abutments, columns, and other concrete surfaces
Sound Walls:
Developing acoustic barriers that combine functional noise reduction with aesthetic appeal
The design implementation featured:
Geometric patterns that reference the surrounding desert landscape
Visual rhythms that enhance the driving experience
Textural variations that create dynamic shadow patterns throughout the day
Project Neon has delivered transformative benefits to the Las Vegas transportation network:
Improved Safety:
Significant reduction in accidents along the corridor
Enhanced Mobility:
Better traffic flow during peak hours
Visual Enhancement:
Creation of a distinctive infrastructure identity
Future-Proofed Design:
Capacity to handle projected traffic increases through 2035
Custom form liners were engineered to ensure consistent pattern reproduction across thousands of concrete elements
Materials were selected to withstand Las Vegas’s extreme temperature variations and intense UV exposure
Production scheduling was optimized to support the contractor’s aggressive timeline requirements
Quality control processes ensured pattern alignment and finishing consistency throughout the extensive project
Project Neon stands as a premier example of how thoughtful concrete design can elevate major infrastructure projects beyond mere functionality. Through collaboration with Spec Formliners, NVDOT created a transportation corridor that not only addresses critical safety and capacity needs but also establishes a distinctive visual identity for one of Nevada’s most important highways.
The project demonstrates how attention to aesthetic details can transform necessary infrastructure investments into landmarks that enhance the urban experience while serving essential transportation functions.
