While passing Sands Avenue around 10 PM, I was surprised to see a lane suddenly reduced to one. Orange cones were lined up, and workers in fluorescent vests were busy under the light towers.

I wondered why this was happening so early in October, but there was one reason: preparations for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in November are already underway.

This year's Grand Prix will take place from Thursday, November 19, to Saturday, November 21. Thursday will feature practice runs, Friday will include practice and qualifying, and the race will be on Saturday night.

The race consists of 50 laps, and the circuit length is 3.8 miles. The issue is that most of this course is on public roads we usually travel.

So, even though the race is in November, road work began in early September. The first work started on September 2 at 9 PM, near Koval Lane and Rochelle Avenue.

That night, a pedestrian bridge was installed over Koval, and around 2 AM, all vehicle traffic was temporarily halted. The RTC Route 119 bus also detoured at that time.

From September 7 to 18, there were nighttime lane reductions on Harmon Avenue between Las Vegas Boulevard and Koval. Only one lane was open in each direction from 9 PM to 6 AM.

In October, the work area moved to the middle of the Strip. This was when I was surprised.

First, the section from Las Vegas Boulevard at Sands Avenue to Harmon Avenue has been reduced to one lane on weekdays from October 5 to 30, from midnight to 9 AM.

The 9 AM cutoff is key. This means it overlaps with part of the morning rush hour, so those commuting to hotels on the Strip early in the morning should take note.

On Sands Avenue, the section from Las Vegas Boulevard to Manhattan Street will also have lane reductions from 9 PM to 6 AM until October 16. This is from Sunday night to Friday morning.

Harmon Avenue north of Audrey Street was completely closed every night from October 4 to 9. The Audrey area has at least passed that hurdle.

Public transportation users are also affected. Some Deuce bus stops have closed at night since October 5.

Additionally, from October 11 to 16, RTC Routes 119 and 202 will detour due to bridge work near Flamingo. Make sure to check ahead so you're not left waiting at the stop.

The lighting work on Harmon Avenue's track is not finished yet either. It is scheduled to continue again between October 26 and 30.

Honestly, it's a bit tiring. The race lasts three days, but the local roads are under construction for months.

That said, I'm not completely against it. Considering the number of visitors this event brings to hotels, restaurants, and service industries, it's not something the local economy can easily forgo.

However, I believe residents should be given clear information so they can avoid the area. Fortunately, that part is being handled quite well.

The first resource is the official Grand Prix traffic information site. By visiting transportation.f1lasvegasgp.com, you can find maps of construction areas and schedules for installation and removal updated weekly.

The second is text alerts. By texting F1LV to 31996, you can receive updates from Clark County via text.

The third is the alerts and detours page on the RTC website. If you take the bus, it's convenient to bookmark this as well.

I've actually changed a few of my habits. I try to avoid the east side of the Strip after 9 PM.

Instead, I take routes like I-15 or Paradise Road, which are a bit further from the circuit. The distance may be longer, but it actually takes less time.

Be careful when walking too. If crosswalks are blocked due to construction, crossing the street anywhere can be really dangerous.

In past races, jaywalking has been an issue, and pedestrian bridges or the next crosswalk are often not as far away as you might think. Walking a few extra minutes is much safer.

In previous events, the sidewalks on the Strip were also blocked for long stretches. In 2024, the sidewalk between Flamingo Road and Bellagio Drive was closed from September 16 to November 22, forcing pedestrians to use the bridge.

It's best to check the official site for how this year's similar area will be handled. The layout changes slightly each year.

For reference, in past events, the closures expanded significantly during race week, and removal work continued until December. The schedule for race week closures will be released closer to the date, so be sure to check back in early November.

Also, remember that schedules can change based on construction progress. It's common for the date you see today to change next week.

If I were you, I would sign up for text alerts right now. It only takes a minute, and it will definitely reduce the time you waste on the road throughout November.