In October of 2024, The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) started a $3.02 million project to replace signage along the I-515/U.S. 93/U.S. 95 corridor from the Henderson interchange to Kyle Canyon Road to reflect the Federal Highway Administration’s designation of this route as Interstate 11.
The new signage supports the I-11 corridor’s goal to improve north-south travel and boost the regional economy by easing the flow of goods.
Map showing the 53.9-mile designation of Interstate 11
The new I-11 designation is part of a combined effort by Nevada and Arizona to transform U.S. 93 from a rural two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway with the designation of Interstate 11 (I-11). This upgrade, projected to be completed by 2030, could create an economic boom to the Greater Las Vegas Metropolitan Area by taking advantage of the increased flow of goods from Mexico to Canada.
Historically, the maquiladora sector in Sonora and other Mexican states has been the major driving force behind the increasing trade flows in the Nogales area. In 2001, the maquiladora sector accounted for almost 50% of total exports and 60% of non-oil exports. Production in maquiladoras is concentrated in three primary industries: electrical and electronic (29.2%); construction, reconstruction, and assembly of transportation equipment (18%); and apparel and other garment products (15.8%). In addition, Nogales is the gateway for 50% of all fresh fruits and vegetables shipped into the United States from Mexico.
The Mariposa port of entry outside Nogales, Mexico, accommodates over 400,000 northbound trucks that pass through the border checkpoint. The Interstate 11 project promises to significantly reduce the travel time to I-40 and I-15 in Las Vegas. Eventually, I-11 will continue north to Reno and beyond to the Canadian border and provide connections with I-80 and I-90.
Currently, goods entering the U.S. at Nogales travel north on I-19 and west on I-10 before connecting with I-17 North to Flagstaff and I-40. A much more advantageous but slower route, due to the condition of the roadway, would be U.S. 93 from Phoenix to Kingman. From Kingman, the option is to go north to I-15 or west or east on I-40.
Map showing current interstate highways in the Southwest
Kingman, Arizona, is already preparing for the I-11 connection by constructing a $106 million interchange, allowing traffic to flow freely between I-40 and U.S. 93 (the future I-11). Construction should be completed by 2028.
In addition to roadway improvements, Kingman is partnering with private and public entities to play a pivotal role in the I-40 TradePort Corridor project. The TradePort is designed to play a crucial role in transporting goods by hosting a Truck Mobility Complex catering to Class 89 electric and hydrogen trucks. The complex will also be a logistical hub to streamline trade flow from the Port of Los Angeles. This kickstart project has already received $974,000.
What does I-11 mean for Nevada?
Las Vegas sits at the top of the Southwest Triangle which is linked by transportation, economy, and environment. Major international airports anchor each subregion. Ground-based transportation in the region includes several major Interstates and limited passenger rail capacity. A proposed high-speed rail link connecting Southern California to Las Vegas is being constructed. The major regions in this Southwest Triangle share many economic interdependencies in sectors such as logistics, healthcare, entertainment, tourism, and technology. Leaders in Las Vegas and the Sun Corridor—areas surrounded by desert—are actively engaged in wind and solar research and development, equipment manufacturing, and green energy production. It is notable that Phoenix and Las Vegas are the only two major metropolitan areas in the U.S. without an interstate connection.
Map of the Southwest Triangle Region
The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge over the Colorado River opened in 2010, and the subsequent construction of the Boulder City Bypass marked the initial construction of I-11.
Clark County, Henderson, and North Las Vegas are conveniently located at the junction of I-15 and newly designated I-11 corridors. Each municipality has vacant swaths of land large enough to accommodate the construction of TradePorts that would provide economic value to the transportation industry.
Developing charging and fueling stations for Class 89 electric and hydrogen trucks and constructing extensive transload facilities would be key to the infrastructure.
Transload facilities like the one developed at the Savannah River International Trade Park include a 650,000-square-foot fulfillment center with a 100-door transload capacity. The Savannah facility is expected to employ more than 400 full- and part-time employees.
At a Las Vegas Tradeport, goods transported to Las Vegas from the Port of Los Angeles along I-15, from Kingman along I-11, or by Union Pacific Rail can be offloaded from one truck, reloaded into another truck, and combined with other goods bound for the same destination. With the addition of the new Ivanpah airport, more goods can be transported by air and then transferred to trucks to complete their journey.
In addition to TradePort opportunities, I-11 offers manufacturing, assembly and production sharing opportunities with Arizona and Mexico.
To take advantage of the completion of I-11, a combination of public and private investments will be required. Both real estate development and freight logistics companies will need to be proactive in the initial site designation and design/development phases of a project. The process will also require a significant amount of up-front capital.
As a Las Vegas-based business, Business Finance Corporation (BFC) strongly supports the local economy and businesses that promote growth.
BFC has a history of working with real estate developers, construction companies, manufacturing companies, and freight companies to convert collectible accounts receivables into ready cash. This process, involving factoring the receivables, enabled companies to acquire the assets necessary to expand and advance their business practices.
To learn how BFC can assist your business, visit https://bfc.vegas/ or call 702-947-3800.0.