Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Senate vote latest sign of progress for Las Vegas light rail effort

Light rail rendering 031616

Regional Transportation Commission

A proposal to build an urban light rail or bus rapid transit system on Maryland Parkway between McCarran International Airport and downtown Las Vegas is moving forward. This image from the Regional Transportation Commission shows a version of the proposal that involves running light rail lines down both sides of the street.

CARSON CITY — A Democrat and Republican lawmaker helped present support for a Senate bill that lays the framework for the pursuit of a Las Vegas light rail.

A 12-9 vote in the Senate sent the measure to the Assembly, where transportation subcommittee members heard testimony on Thursday. Senate Bill 149 seeks to clarify state law to ensure regional transportation officials have authority for these types of mass transit projects.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is conducting an environmental assessment on a light rail, bus rapid transit route, and other possible improvements along the Maryland Parkway corridor, which connects McCarran International Airport with high-traffic sites including downtown Las Vegas, UNLV and Sunrise Hospital.

Design and funding are part of the current work on the project. After the expected release of an environmental assessment this summer, designs would also need to be finalized and bids solicited for construction, among other steps.

A light rail system could be operational around 2022.

Sens. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, and Scott Hammond, R-Las Vegas, presented the bill in committee on Thursday.

Manendo said Nevada is behind other Western states when it comes to transportation, and communities need to have the tools to pursue new technologies for high-traffic areas.

Hammond said the bill was the product of extensive planning, including a group visit to Denver to explore what the city did to construct its light rail system.

Lawmakers heard support from cities, construction groups, UNLV, Sunrise Hospital and others. No one spoke in opposition.

Part of the bill deals with pursuing taxes to support transportation projects like a light rail. A concern was raised about ballot language for voter-approved tax questions, and the bill may be adjusted to get more specific about the requirements.

Committee members are heading toward a May 19 deadline to either let the bill die or pass it onto a floor vote.

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