NDOT Neon project - Las Vegas, USA
Geotechnical and Geophysics Expertise for NDOT's Project Neon by Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC company in the USA.
Key Information
Project name: Project Neon
Provided by: Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company
Client: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), in collaboration with Atkins and Kiewit
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: 2025
Services Provided: Geotechnical Consulting, Geophysical Services
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The Challenge
Transforming a Major Highway Interchange in Las Vegas
Project Neon represented a monumental infrastructure effort in Nevada, focusing on the overhaul and expansion of a heavily used section of Interstate 15. Serving over 300,000 vehicles daily, the corridor required critical upgrades including road widening, bridge replacements, and interchange redesign to relieve traffic congestion and improve highway safety in central Las Vegas.
The urban complexity and geologic variability of the area required a precise understanding of underground conditions to support the integration of new roadway elements, bridge structures, and support walls. Our team was tasked with delivering a complete geotechnical evaluation to guide design decisions, construction safety, and the long-term durability of the new transportation infrastructure.
Project Neon represented a monumental infrastructure effort in Nevada, focusing on the overhaul and expansion of a heavily used section of Interstate 15. Serving over 300,000 vehicles daily, the corridor required critical upgrades including road widening, bridge replacements, and interchange redesign to relieve traffic congestion and improve highway safety in central Las Vegas.
The urban complexity and geologic variability of the area required a precise understanding of underground conditions to support the integration of new roadway elements, bridge structures, and support walls. Our team was tasked with delivering a complete geotechnical evaluation to guide design decisions, construction safety, and the long-term durability of the new transportation infrastructure.
The Solution
Comprehensive Geotechnical and Geophysical Solutions
To meet the demands of Project Neon, Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, offered:
- Subsurface Geotechnical Evaluation: We carried out an extensive geotechnical investigation across the entire 3.7-mile highway corridor, analyzing soil composition, caliche layers, groundwater fluctuations, and load-bearing capacities.
- Drilled Shaft Load Testing: To verify performance in actual site conditions, we implemented a full-scale drilled shaft load testing program. The results guided foundation design by confirming axial load capacities.
- Integrity Testing for Deep Foundations: Using non-invasive methods like Cross-Hole Sonic Logging (CSL) and Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP), our geotechnical team assessed the internal consistency of shafts up to 110 feet deep.
- Pre- and Post-Construction Property Assessments: We performed detailed inspections of adjacent buildings and infrastructure prior to and after construction activities. These geotechnical assessments documented existing conditions and supported transparent risk management practices.
- Ground Vibration Monitoring: Our team installed and monitored ground vibration sensors throughout high-impact construction activities. Continuous monitoring helped mitigate vibration-induced damage and informed real-time construction practices to protect nearby structures.
The Results
Reliable Infrastructure Backed by Proven Geotechnics
The contribution of Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, to Project Neon helped deliver a robust and resilient infrastructure solution for one of Nevada’s most critical highway corridors.
The combination of advanced geotechnical evaluation, drilled shaft load testing, foundation integrity verification, and continuous ground vibration monitoring supported the safe design and construction of 29 bridge structures and associated roadway features. By integrating real-time data into design decisions, our team supported cost-effective solutions while reducing construction risks and minimizing impacts on nearby structures.
Comprehensive property assessments and monitoring further reinforced stakeholder trust and transparency, solidifying Project Neon as a benchmark for infrastructure excellence in Las Vegas.
