Since the May 2024 public meeting, DOMI has continued working closely with the City’s Department of Public Safety to better understand emergency response needs for Fire and EMS. The team has also met with business stakeholders to review loading zone needs and concerns. Based on this input, the project design has been updated to improve emergency vehicle access and includes additional, larger on-street loading zones for business use.

DOMI also studied how the project may affect traffic, including under projected growth in vehicle trips. A conservative traffic “stress test” using a 4.4% annual trip increase—well above the 1% actually observed—confirmed that the corridor can support future traffic demand. While some congestion may still occur at peak times, the analysis shows that Penn Avenue will remain functional and reliable with the new design.

To further address existing traffic and safety issues, operational improvements are planned on nearby side streets, including 23rd and 24th Streets. These changes will reduce bottlenecks, improve safety, and allow vehicles to shift to alternative routes as needed.

Additional updates include revised on-street parking enforcement to improve turnover and keep traffic flowing. Bus stops will also be adjusted to allow for more efficient transit service through the corridor. Details can be found in the FAQ below.

Over the past year, the design has evolved to reflect stakeholder input and safety priorities. While coordination with Fire and EMS has extended the design timeline, the project remains on track for installation in 2025. Implementation will take only a few days and will be scheduled to avoid conflicts with other construction or special events in the Strip.