World's largest Ferris wheel to roll into Las Vegas

(Caesars Entertainment)

A new development project on the Las Vegas strip that includes the world's largest Ferris wheel has been given the go-ahead.

The $500 million project, named "Project Linq," will link center-strip resorts Imperial Palace and Flamingo Vegas and is expected to take around 18 months to complete.

As part of the project, a new 550-foot (167.6-meter) high observation wheel carrying 28 cabins with 40 people in each will be constructed, in an attempt to broaden the attraction of Las Vegas further than existing casinos.

If it measures up as planned, it will top the world's existing tallest Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer, by just nine feet (2.7 meters).

Also on offer will be restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, reports the Las Vegas Sun.

As part of the project, both the Imperial Palace and O'Sheas will be "re-skinned," getting new facades which the company behind the project, Caesar's Entertainment, says will help to revitalize the area of the famous Strip.

Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the US, attracting nearly 30 million visitors every year, according to Forbes - second only to New York's Times Square.

Read the story:  http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/03/caesars-set-break-ground-500-million-strip-project/