A new stretch of Interstate 11 is set to open in the next few weeks.  It will let drivers bypass Boulder City on the south side of town.

Nevada’s oldest casino, which is along the original route, is still reeling from years of construction closures.  

8 News NOW caught up with the owner of Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino who says the last several years of I-11 construction have caused chaos for their customers. 

“It’s a change; it’s different,” said Joesph DeSimone, owner of Railroad Pass.

A new travel route shifts traffic near Boulder City. 

The Railroad Pass is still reeling from years of road and ramp closures.

“It wasn’t fun,” DeSimone said.  “We did well, but not as well as we’re used to doing, and we’re looking forward to having our customers from Boulder City back. 

The historic property sits right off the new I-11 route, and owner Desimone says they took a hit.

“It’s been a long, hard experience, but when you want to take a few steps forward, you have to take a few steps back,” DeSimone said.

The highway’s two and a half mile stretch opened a few months ago, and a new, nearly 13 mile, Boulder City Bypass opens in August. 

It’s an important stretch, specifically for interstate commerce and trucking and travel.

NDOT spokesman Tony Illia calls it a step in the right direction.

“Options are always good,” said DeSimone.  “They always benefit the motorist and that’s really our primary concern.”

The new portion of the road will shave a half an hour off the drive to Arizona, eventually making a closer connection to Phoenix. 

The momentum just keeps going up and up and up. 

“You have to adapt to change, and you have to anticipate what’s going to happen, and some things you just can’t control,” said DeSimone.

He says he and his entire team look forward to the future.

“Whenever it does open, I’ll probably be the happiest person in Boulder City and Henderson,” DeSimone said.

Desimone just opened a $15 million travel center connected to the Railroad Pass.  He says this growth on the road is really a chance to rebrand his business to cater to a higher traffic count.

He says he’d tell any other business owner worried about these route changes to just focus on adapting for the future.

The new, 12  1/2 mile bypass option will open on August 9.