Let’s invest in monorail

By Paul Grasewicz, Las Vegas

Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 | 2 a.m.

I agree with the Sun’s Aug. 3 editorial saying a $200 million elevated expressway to the Strip is not the answer.

Instead, I propose a better use of this money as well as the planned $300 million for bus rapid transit along Maryland Parkway. Let’s transfer ownership of the monorail system to the Regional Transportation Commission.

Then federal, state and local mass transit funds can be used to modernize and expand the monorail. It can be extended to Mandalay Bay to reduce traffic to the football stadium. A spur can be added to the airport. And the monorail can be extended from its northern end to downtown Las Vegas, perhaps along Casino Center Boulevard and Fremont Street.

The result will be less traffic to the airport, the football stadium,Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street. It will reduce the amount of parking needed at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the stadium. Visitors staying at hotels in downtown Las Vegas and on the Strip will have convenient and quick access to the airport and convention sites.

I know this is a radical idea that could be easily dismissed. Yet Las Vegas is nothing if it is not bold. I challenge our public officials to seriously evaluate this exciting concept that offers not only transportation benefits, but can also itself be marketed to attract tourists and conventions — how many other cities can offer a true monorail system for travel?