By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Mortenson/McCarthy, the joint venture team overseeing construction of the $1.97 billion Raiders stadium project, is working with Southern Nevada Health District representatives “to investigate COVID-19 cases involving workers on the project.”
The number of workers testing positive for the novel coronavirus has reached seven at the 62.5-acre Allegiant Stadium construction site on the west side of I-15 across from Mandalay Bay hotel-casino. That includes the four workers who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
In a memo to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, Mortenson/McCarthy said, “We have identified new cases over the past few weeks mostly localized with electricians working on site. For the health and safety of everyone we work with, we have requested assistance from SNHD representatives to conduct targeted, voluntary on-site work force testing during the week of May 4. This testing will help us better understand the nature of these cases and enable us to make further decisions.”
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has deemed construction as essential and projects have continued during the virus pandemic. Construction workers at other projects like the Circa hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas have also tested positive for the coronavirus. Sisolak loosened stay-at-home restrictions last week, but people are still expected to physically isolate as much as possible in Nevada until at least May 15. Casinos, hotels, bars, clubs and schools remain closed. Retail businesses and restaurants can do curbside sales.
Here is the Mortenson/McCarthy letter to the public stadium authority:
Mortenson/McCarthy’s highest priority on the Allegiant Stadium project is the health and safety of our team members, project partners and the community. To that end, we have implemented and have been following a thorough job site protocol including social distancing to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 transmission. As part of a larger community tracing effort, we are coordinating with Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) representatives to investigate COVID-19 cases involving workers on the project.
We have identified new cases over the past few weeks mostly localized with electricians working on site. For the health and safety of everyone we work with, we have requested assistance from SNHD representatives to conduct targeted, voluntary on-site work force testing during the week of May 4. This testing will help us better understand the nature of these cases and enable us to make further decisions.”
Since the onset of COVID-19, more than 4000 craft workers and various trade partners and vendors have been on site. We continue to follow guidance on COVID-19 issued by the CDC along with local, state, and federal authorities. Our team will implement changes and adjustments as needed or identified to help protect everyone on the Allegiant Stadium project.
Mortenson/McCarthy has installed signs such as this around the site. The venue will include 65,000 seats (expandable to 72,000), a retractable natural turf field, large operable walls that open to views of the neighboring Las Vegas Strip, and a variety of premium spaces throughout all levels. The overall project budget of $1.97 billion includes a construction budget of $1.4 billion, with the public contributing $750 million.
As of Saturday, there were 257 COVID-19 deaths in Nevada. There have been 44,387 people tested and 5,311 have tested positive in the state.
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