Transportation fair looks into LV’s future

Diana Sahagun

Monday, June 29, 1998 | 11:25 a.m.

Las Vegas Valley residents are concerned about traffic, how road construction will affect them and if new transportation projects mean higher taxes.

These concerns were heard by members of the Regional Transportation Commission over the weekend at a RTC transportation fair at the Boulevard Mall.

"Residents are concerned about traffic, the cost of construction, taxes, where the construction will be located and when it will happen," said Cheri Brown, supervising transit monitor for RTC.

She said of the residents she spoke to a major concern was cost. Brown advised them that a sales tax won't be undertaken unless the RTC gets the OK from voters.

Members of the RTC agreed that although road construction may be an inconvenience, it is in the best interest of the public.

"It will reduce congestion and will be a lot easier to get where you want to go," said Bonnie Peterson, planning technician for the RTC, referring to the completion of the many projects currently underway in the valley.

Bobby Shelton, Clark County public information coordinator for the Department of Public Works, said he heard from many residents concerned about the new arterials which will soon be constructed, mainly on Hacienda and Harmon avenues.

"Overall the construction will affect everyone," he said. "The goal is to ease traffic congestion on surface arterials. To make it easier, initially there will be an inconvenience."

Residents also are curious about the new, proposed rail system to help ease the valley's traffic woes, according to RTC officials. If everything goes according to plan, a new, elevated monorail system in Las Vegas will include 18 miles of double track able to carry 20,000 people per hour, per direction.

"If residents had an alternative (to driving cars) they would use it," Brown said. "This is another option so we won't have to keep building roads."