Board delays vote on helping California pay for I-15 project

Friday, Feb. 20, 1998 | 1:56 a.m.

"We haven't worked out the details yet," said Gov. Bob Miller, the board's chairman.

He said the proposal calls for the state to pay about $10 million of the $153 million cost of widening a 29-mile stretch of the freeway between Barstow and Victorville, Calif.

Widening that part of the road - now two lanes wide in each direction - to three lanes in each direction would be beneficial for Nevada's tourism industry, Miller said during a board meeting Tuesday.

"Obviously, it is important because the largest share of our business comes on that highway," he said. "Some people are experiencing eight-hour delays going home (to Los Angeles) on weekends."

That part of the freeway has become a bottleneck because it runs into Interstate 40 where the road broadens to four lanes.

Miller said precedent exists for Nevada contributing to a California project. In 1991, the state and gaming industry put a combined $4 million into an interchange renovation project in Barstow.

But he said no agreement has been reached on whether the casino industry should pay a share of the freeway widening project. He would not say if he wants the resorts to put money into the project.

"That will be discussed at the future meeting," Transportation Director Thomas Stephens said. "Who puts in what has to be discussed. At this point, the gaming industry has not pledged any money to me."

Stephens said California's transportation board considers the freeway widening as one of its priorities. He and Miller said California officials are looking to Nevada to make a contribution.

Stephens said the widening project could take as long as 10 years. With Nevada's aid as an incentive for California, he said the project might be done in three years.

The Nevada Department of Transportation has approved money to widen I-15 between Las Vegas and Primm, Nev., on the California border.

A bill pending in Congress also would set aside freeway money for the freeway widening project in California.