Numerous job creating projects contained in the bill
September 17, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today hailed the passage of the Transportation and HUD Appropriations bill that will bring the state more than $19 million for job creating projects across Nevada. Senator Reid is working to direct Nevadans’ hard earned federal tax dollars back to local communities to jump start transportation projects. The infusion of these federal funds will supplement state and local funds so that they can be completed earlier.
“This is a good bill for Nevada because it addresses important transportation needs all over the state and creates good-paying jobs in the process,” Reid said.
A breakdown of the projects, many shovel ready, is as follows:
- Project: Starr Road Interchange
Requestor: City of Henderson
Location: Henderson, NV
Amount: $3,000,0000
Description: Constructing an interchange at I-15 and Starr Road will improve access to a growing part of Henderson and relieve congestion on Eastern Avenue and other approaches to McCarran International Airport. Funding will be used for construction, and will supplement the $1,187,500 Senator Reid secured for this project in FY2009.
- Project: Meadowood Interchange
Requestor: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Location: Carson City, NV
Amount: $1,000,000
Description: The Meadowood Interchange is in one of the primary commercial retail districts in the Reno/Sparks Metropolitan area. Construction of a split diamond interchange will more effectively distribute traffic on surface arterial streets, and reduce overall levels of traffic congestion. Senator Reid secured $1,254,000 for this project last year. Funding will supplement more than $27 million in ARRA stimulus funding that local officials have decided to invest in the interchange.
- Project: I-15 Corridor of the Future
Requestor: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Location: Carson City, NV
Amount: $1,000,000
Description: Because the US Department of Transportation designed I-15 as a "Corridor of the Future," this interstate is eligible to participate in new federal programs to reduce congestion. Federal funding would supplement these efforts. More than 9 million people drive from Southern California to Las Vegas on I-15, and making road improvements protects the main routes for tourists to enter Las Vegas.
- Project: Expanding SR-160 Las Vegas to Pahrump
Requestor: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Location: Carson City, NV
Amount: $3,250,000
Description: This roadway is the major connection between the growing bedroom community of Pahrump and the metropolitan core of Las Vegas, NV. Unfortunately, this two-lane road is one of the most deadly in the state. Funding would pay for increased widening that would reduce congestion and improve safety. Senators Reid and Ensign secured $2,612,500 for this project last year.
- Project: Boulder City Bypass
Requestor: City of Boulder City
Location: Boulder City, NV
Amount: $1,000,000
Description: According to published estimates, an additional 2000-2500 trucks will drive through Boulder City once the new Hoover Dam bridge is completed in 2010. A 17 mile bypass road will alleviate congestion and remove truck traffic from downtown Boulder City.
- Project: Southern Nevada Beltway Interchanges
Requestor: Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Amount: $2,250,000
Description: Federal funding will supplement a 20 percent state match to construct additional interchanges to improve mobility on the Clark County Beltway. The Clark County Beltway is one of the busiest roads in Nevada, and funding will expand capacity. Last year, Senator Reid and Senator Ensign secured $2,850,000 for this project.
- Project: Carson City Freeway Phase II
Requestor: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Location: Carson City, NV
Amount: $800,000
Description: The project will improve capacity by adding 3 miles of controlled access freeway from Fairview Drive to the southern connection at the existing US 50 West - Tahoe Juncture / Carson Street intersection. Expanding the freeway will relieve traffic congestion in addition to offering flood control protection. It is estimated that this project will create 150 jobs locally.
- Project: Washoe County Bus and Bus Facility
Requestor: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County
Location: Reno, NV
Amount: $500,000
Description: This project involves the construction of satellite transfer centers and additional Park and Ride facilities to expand the ridership of the RTC bus system. Additional funds will replace aging buses in the fleet with cleaner fuel technologies.
- Project: Nevada Pacific Parkway
Requestor: City of Fernley
Location: Fernley, NV
Amount: $750,000
Description: Funding will pay for the construction of an additional four lane roadway connecting I-80 Exit 50 Interchange to US50A at Nevada Pacific Parkway in the eastern portion of Fernley. The expansion will be necessary for future growth in the Fernley region.
- Project: Bonneville-Clark Couplet
Requestor: The City of Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Amount: $500,000
Description: This project will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion by converting Bonneville Ave. and Clark Ave. roadways to an east/west one-way couplet system between Main Street and Charleston Boulevard. This project is part of the City's master plans for land use and will make the corridor more pedestrian-friendly. It will create 71 jobs locally.
- Project: US-395 from Moana to Stead
Requestor: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Location: Carson City, NV
Amount: $500,000
Description: This project would widen the Northbound lanes on US-395 and relieve heavy peak hour congestion and related crashes. Widening would substantially reduce Northbound travel time in peak hour from Moana to I-80 saving time for thousands of Nevadans each day. This project is estimated to create 150 jobs locally.
- Project: Pyramid Highway Corridor
Requestor: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County
Location: Reno, NV
Amount: $1,100,000
Description: Pyramid Highway (SR-445) is one of the most congested corridors in Northern Nevada, particularly at the intersection of SR-445 and McCarran Blvd. Funding would pay for environmental studies and project development improvements to increase capacity and reduce congestion within the corridor.
- Project: Freeways and Arterial System of Transportation (FAST)
Requestor: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Amount: $700,000
Description: To help facilitate traffic movement and relieve congestion on the Clark County Beltway, NDOT plans to install a fiber-optic cable vehicle detection system with video monitoring cameras, ramp meters and dynamic message signs.
- Project: Pyramid Highway Corridor
Requestor: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County
Location: Reno, NV
Amount: $500,000
Description: Pyramid Highway (SR-445) is one of the most congested corridors in Northern Nevada, particularly at the intersection of SR-445 and McCarran Blvd. Funding would pay for environmental studies and project development improvements to increase capacity and reduce congestion within the corridor.
- Project: Boulder City Bypass
Requestor: City of Boulder City
Location: Boulder City, NV
Amount: $750,000
Description: According to published estimates, an additional 2000-2500 trucks will drive through Boulder City once the new Hoover Dam bridge is completed in 2010. A 17 mile bypass road will alleviate congestion and remove truck traffic from downtown Boulder City.
TRANSPORTATION TOTAL $17,600,000
- Project: Silver Sky at Deer Springs Affordable Senior Assisted Living
Requester: Nevada HAND
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Amount: $700,000
Summary: Nevada HAND plans to build an affordable senior assisted living center with a focus on serving low-income seniors. This facility will allow low-income seniors who can no longer live independently to maintain their dignity at home, and avoid costly and premature nursing home placement.
- Project: Stabilizing Nevada Neighborhoods
Requester: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Nevada
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Amount: $500,000
Summary: Hundreds of foreclosed homes throughout Southern Nevada sit empty and blight neighborhoods. Consumer Credit Counseling Service plans to turn many of these foreclosed properties into long-term affordable rental properties that will be sold to low and moderate income families.
- Project: Storey County Youth and Community Resource Center
Requester: Community Chest of Storey County
Location: Virginia City, NV
Amount: $200,000
Summary: Storey County currently does not have a community center, childcare center, youth program facilities, or public gathering sites. With the support of the local government, Community Chest and other volunteer organizations have been working for 13 years to design and construct a community resource center. Local residents will supplement any federal support with additional donations and grants.
- Project: Silver Stage Youth Community Center
Requester: Silver Stage Youth Organization
Location: Stagecoach, NV
Amount: $200,000
Summary: Like many rural counties, Silver Springs does not have a community center or public meeting space. Community residents have been working for several years to design a center, and have completed a feasibility study for a mixed-use community center. Federal, state and local funding will be used to construct the center.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FUNDING TOTAL: $1,600,000
