Vegas Ferris wheel to become biggest as outside frame mounted

Las Vegas is about to get even more freewheeling.

Sin City will roll into history Tuesday when workers mount the outside frame of its planned 55-story Ferris wheel.

Courtesy of Caesar’s Entertainment Corp.

The outer wheel will be visible from all parts of the gambling mecca, plans show.

The gargantuan steel structure will be the biggest wheel in the world — at least until Staten Island gets the green light to go ahead with its own carnival ride.

The New York Wheel will stand at a massive 625 feet — 75 feet higher than Las Vegas’ High Roller ride.

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The Singapore Flyer in Singapore reigns as the current biggest Ferris wheel, at a staggering 541 feet tall.

RELATED: NEW YORK WHEEL PLANS ROLLING FORWARD ON STATEN ISLAND

Mayor Bloomberg announced plans to build the New York Wheel in September 2012 as part of a $480 million investment package meant to transform the Staten Island waterfront into the city’s newest tourism and shopping destination.

Courtesy of Caesar’s Entertainment Corp.

The High Roller is part of a $550 million development plan from Caesars Entertainment.

The proposal was approved by the Staten Island community board earlier this summer and now needs the blessings of the City Council to proceed.

For the moment, that leaves the Singapore Flyer in Singapore as the world’s biggest wheel, at 541 feet tall.

nyc mayor’s office

A rendering of the New York Wheel. The race is on against Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which plans to build an even bigger wheel that’s scheduled for completion around the same time.

The Flyer looms over the London Eye by nearly 100 feet; however, Las Vegas’ High Roller will top them both at approximately 550 feet when it’s finished next year.

RELATED: DUBAI PLANS TO OUTDO STATEN ISLAND IN RACE FOR WORLD’S BIGGEST FERRIS WHEEL

nyc mayor’s office

A rendering shows the New York Wheel planned for Staten Island. It is part of a $480 million investment effort meant to make the borough’s waterfront New York’s newest tourism and shopping hub.

With the outer wheel in place, the huge ride will be visible from all parts of the gambling mecca.

It’s going to be outfitted with 1,500 LED lights over the next few months and small pods to carry passengers.

Courtesy of Caesar’s Entertainment Corp.

Small pods will carry passengers on each 30-minute revolution.

The teetering baskets will hold up to 40 people, and each revolution will take about 30 minutes, said project director David Codiga.

Passengers can’t smoke or eat during the ride but are invited to carry a cocktail on board for the panoramic trip.

Courtesy of Caesar’s Entertainment Corp.

The baskets will hold up to 40 people who will have a soaring view of Sin City.

RELATED: NYC TO GET WORLD’S TALLEST FERRIS WHEEL, BLOOMY

The mega-wheel is part of a $550 million development plan from Caesars Entertainment Corp., which is looking for new ways to lure Gen X-ers and millennials to the desert oasis.

The High Roller won’t be the only game in town, however.

Two rival companies said they’re also planning to add to the circuslike atmosphere with Ferris wheels of their own.

One company aims to have the Skyvue — a 500-foot wheel — up by mid-2015, and another group of developers wants to build the London Thrill near the CityCenter complex in the middle of the Strip.

The New York Wheel will still dwarf them all if it gets completed on schedule for New Year’s Eve 2015.

But Staten Island may not be able to hold the world record for long. Already, the race is on with Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where government officials are determined to get their own Ferris wheel up in time for the 2015 holidays. And the Dubai Eye is slated to reach 688 feet, which would make it the world’s tallest.

With News Wire Services

gotis@nydailynews.com

Vegas Ferris wheel to become biggest as outside frame mounted