Local roads need to smarten up

Scott Reeder

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998 | 10:53 a.m.

A system of "smart roads" should be developed in Las Vegas that will better move traffic through congested city streets.

That is the recommendation of the Southern Nevada Strategic Planning Authority, an advisory group on growth issues to the Legislature and local government.

The authority endorsed several proposals Monday on how growth issues, especially transportation and education, should be addressed in the Las Vegas Valley. For the most part, the plans were general, lacking details on they would be implemented.

The transportation recommendation called for creating a system of smart roads that include synchronized traffic signals and sensors that monitor traffic and adjust signals accordingly.

"Traffic here is absolutely absurd. I think I could drive across New York City quicker than I can across Las Vegas," said Courtney Alexander, the AFL-CIO's representative on the authority. "That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it clearly a problem here and something needs to be done."

In order to get roads built at a faster pace, the authority recommended that governments consider accepting combined bids from contractors for both the design and construction of highways.

But not everyone on the authority liked this proposal.

"I think that is a bad idea," said Titto Tiberti, a member of the authority representing the Nevada Taxpayers Association.

Government needs to play a integral role in the design of highways before a contractor is selected to do construction. Otherwise, it would have less control over the design, he said.

Proponents of the plan say it will save time, because the government would not have to seek bids twice.

The authority also called for encouraging people to car pool or ride mass transit by creating partnerships between business groups, major employers and unions.

"I don't agree with this proposal either," Tiberti said. "I think single-occupancy cars are a fact of life and something we have to deal with. It sounds like a good idea. But I don't think it is realistic to think that those numbers can be greatly reduced."

Another issue considered by the authority is how the Clark County School District can better focus on education when the student population is growing so rapidly.

One suggestion from the authority: having the school board concentrate on education issues and have a separate body be responsible for school construction issues.

"There really isn't a recommendation on whether this other board should be elected or appointed," said Ruth Johnson, who is a member of the authority and vice president of the school board.

"Sometimes when we are building a lot schools, it is hard to stay focused on education issues," she said.