The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has reached substantial completion on a roadway rehabilitation project along U.S. Highway 95 near Searchlight, an effort designed to improve safety and extend the life of the roadway.
The project improved approximately 20 miles of U.S. 95, focusing on preserving pavement, improving drainage, and upgrading roadway elements along a key transportation corridor. In addition to roadway improvements, the project included enhancements to support habitat connectivity and protect Mojave Desert wildlife, including the Mojave Desert tortoise, a threatened species protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and Nevada Administrative Code (NAC 50.080). Construction began in March 2025 and reached substantial completion in December 2025.
Project Highlights:
- Completed milling and paving throughout the project area, extending the life of the roadway and improving ride quality
- New signage and pavement striping for improved visibility and guidance
- Hydraulic and drainage improvements to enhance roadway performance
- Repaired fencing and installed tortoise fencing to help protect local wildlife
- Converted 13 existing culverts into wildlife crossings to allow safe passage beneath the highway
- Added tortoise turn-arounds and restored habitat connectivity to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions
By combining infrastructure preservation with environmental stewardship, NDOT continues to keep Nevada safe and connected while protecting the natural resources that make the state unique.
NDOT thanks motorists for their patience as crews completed this important preservation effort. Final cleanup and minor punch-list work may continue in the coming weeks, but will not require significant traffic impacts.
Additional state highway information is available at dot.nv.gov or by calling (775) 888-7000. For the latest state highway conditions, visit nvroads.com or call 511 before driving. Also follow @NevadaDOTVegas on X for traffic and project updates in southern Nevada, and @nevadadot on X, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from across the state.
