The relocation of an underground flood-control channel could complicate the timing of construction on a new Las Vegas stadium for the Oakland Raiders.
Officials are still hoping to begin work at the stadium site in late November, thus helping to ensure a timeline that will allow the stadium to open for the Raiders’ 2020 season. One of the key steps in that process will be the relocation of a portion of an underground flood-control channel, which currently runs through the stadium site and must be shifted about 150 feet to the west to allow construction to take place.
In the order for that happen, the project will have to receive approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, with the agency undertaking a review process because the culvert factors into a flood-control project. While some officials do not believe that the stadium project will be delayed by the review, those involved in the process are not speculating on how long it will take to complete. More from The Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Jay Field, spokesman for the Corps of Engineers’ district office in Los Angeles, said the review will cover any engineering, environmental, legal and safety issues associated with changing the flood channel.
“We can’t speculate on how long it would take. Every project is different,” Fields said.
Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said Thursday that he doesn’t expect the culvert relocation to delay the stadium project. He said planners are aware of the issue and have been discussing it with the Corps of Engineers “for quite awhile.”
“They’ve worked with the Corps, they’ve got a plan, they’re working with their permitting, and I’m confident that will be addressed in a timely manner that won’t cause any delay,” Sisolak said.
In August, the flood control district board approved the allocation of up to $120,000 for an expedited review of the project, with the stadium developer reimbursing the cost. According to the Review-Journal, that would allow the review to start before October 1.
Rendering courtesy MANICA Architecture.
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