Officials foresee few traffic problems with Electric Daisy Carnival

It wasn't long ago that visitors dreaded NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas, at least when it came to traffic.

With vast improvements to Interstate 215, and with law enforcement agencies being better prepared, it is the weekend officials now look at to gauge the potential traffic troubles posed by other events at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Presented with the Electric Daisy Carnival, a three-day rave expected to attract 85,000 visitors each night, law enforcement officials who oversee traffic say it is no big deal.

Carnival doors open at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the last shows end at 6 a.m. the following day. But unlike the races, when fans must be at the speedway by a certain time, authorities think those headed to the rave will arrive at different times.

"There will be significantly less traffic than NASCAR weekend," said Sgt. Kevin Honea, spokesman for the Nevada Highway Patrol, referring to the race that attracts 100,000 to 150,000 spectators a day. "Obviously there will be a little bit of a bottleneck when the show ends."

Honea said his agency has contracted with the organizers of the festival to provide 30 extra troopers each day to assist with traffic control. That is in addition to the extra officers from the Las Vegas Police Department, who also will be paid by the rave promoters.

The dusk-to-dawn party includes dozens of musical acts on six stages as well as carnival-type rides. Tickets are $100 and up, and the show is open to anyone older than 18.

The promoters have partnered with AWG Charter Services to provide shuttle rides to the venue. A three-day shuttle pass is $60, or spectators can pay $30 on Friday and Sunday and $40 on Saturday.

Shuttles will run every 30 minutes from Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, The Mirage, Circus-Circus, the Palms, the Hard Rock and the Golden Nugget. Make your reservations at www.shuttlelasvegas.com/edc.

As it does on Race Day, Maverick Helicopters will offer rides to the Speedway. Charter prices start at $3,000. For more information, go to www.flymaverick.com.

Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.