Guinn calls for rapid work on expansion of U.S. 95

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn says he can understand how motorists develop "road rage" when they are trapped in the congestion on U.S. 95 in northwest Las Vegas, where traffic can be backed up for miles if there is a minor accident.

"This is a dynamite problem for the northwest and it's growing bigger every day," Guinn said as he told the state Transportation Department to be ready to accelerate the road expansion as soon as federal approval is received.

The issue was raised last week by Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone, who complained about the slow pace of improvement along U.S. 95, particularly on the section from Rainbow Boulevard to Craig Road, which is to be expanded from four to six lanes.

State Transportation Director Tom Stephens told Guinn and the rest of the members of the state Transportation Board Friday that the state must wait for a decision from the federal government on the environmental impact statement before it can move forward.

The impact statement was delayed four to six months, Stephens said, because of concerns about the Las Vegas Springs area directly south of U.S. 95 near Valley View Boulevard. The springs, the city's original water source, is considered the birthplace of Las Vegas. Archaeological digs are currently under way.

Stephens said he hopes for a federal decision by the end of the year.

"This is driven by the EIS (environmental impact statement)," Stephens said.

Once the federal government gives its permission, Stephens said, the state can start design. To speed up design would cost more money, but Guinn said he approved accelerating the process despite the cost.

While Stephens said this had the second-highest priority in Southern Nevada, just behind expansion of Interstate 15, the governor said the U.S. 95 project should share top priority because Las Vegas citizens travel the route daily.

"If you do it every day, I can understand the road rage," he said.

The second phase of the project calls for expanding from six lanes to 10 lanes from Rancho Road to Rainbow.

Guinn suggested the Rainbow-Craig section could be constructed quickly because the right of way has already been obtained.

The state must set a date to begin so the citizens can see something, he said.

Stephens cautioned, however, the federal government could issue a "no build option" on the environmental impact statement to stop any expansion.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency looks at such things as expanding municipal bus services and other transportation options besides building another expressway. Stephen said EPA officials "didn't see the big picture" in Southern Nevada, but he met with them recently. He said he "sort of received a green light" for the project, which will cost $500 million.

The transportation board also heard a report from representatives of the Chamber of Commerce in Laughlin, who are pushing to rebuild the road from Needles, Calif., into the resort on the Colorado River. One 5-mile section needs to be reconstructed on the Nevada side and 14 miles on the California side.

Stephens said $11 million has been committed for the Nevada construction. A meeting is set for Dec. 3 to get a commitment from San Bernardino, Calif., to put up money for improving the road.

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