AASHTO Journal, 7 March 2014
Nevada will need to move forward with various critical surface transportation projects in order to create and maintain that state’s economic growth, according to a new report released this week by transportation nonprofit TRIP. The report specifically identifies the 25 most urgent transportation projects within the Silver State.
“Enhancing critical segments of Nevada’s transportation system will boost the state’s economy in the short-term by creating jobs in construction and related fields,” according to TRIP. “In the long-term, these improvements will enhance economic competitiveness and improve the quality of life for the state’s residents and visitors by reducing travel delays and transportation costs, improving access and mobility, improving safety, and stimulating sustained job growth.”
The 25 projects ranked as meriting the highest priority include building a new Interstate highway corridor between Las Vegas and Phoenix, redeveloping the section of the Maryland Parkway from downtown Las Vegas to McCarran International Airport, continued expansion and modernization of I-15 in the Las Vegas area, and improving portions of Pyramid Highway in the Reno area. Other transportation priorities included in the report involve providing intermodal rail and highway inland port facilities in northern and southern Nevada to increase the efficient movement of goods, and establishing passenger rail service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas to help reduce traffic tie-ups along that heavily traveled corridor.
In highlighting Nevada’s 25 most urgently needed surface transportation projects, the report also discusses the importance of increased funding for those infrastructure upgrades, improvements, and additions. “Nevada’s transportation system is the backbone of the state’s economy,” said Will Wilkins, TRIP executive director, in a statement. “Unless Congress acts this year to adequately fund the Highway Trust Fund, Nevada is going to see its federal funding decrease dramatically starting this summer. As a result, these critically needed transportation projects may remain stranded on the drawing board.”
TRIP had previously released reports regarding Nevada’s surface transportation infrastructure in both March 2011 (see related AASHTO Journal story here) and April 2013 (see related AASHTO Journal story here).
The current 24-page report, “Keeping Nevada Connected: Future Mobility in the Silver State,” is available here.