Monorail backers say new study proves project is viable

Wednesday, May 10, 2000 | 11:29 a.m.

Backers of a proposed monorail along the Las Vegas Strip say a new ridership study proves the project is viable.

The new study says that ridership projections for the monorail are "reasonable." The survey clears one major hurdle for the controversial project.

Ridership forecasts are critical to the monorail's fate because they will determine whether the system can repay $600 million in revenue bonds that the state is being asked to issue on its behalf.

The report by Houston-based Wilbur Smith Associates clears the way for state and county officials to begin granting final approval for the project.

Backers say the monorail would draw 19.1 million riders a year, paying fares of $2.50 each.

Construction costs would be $328 million.

The monorail is being opposed by some residential and business property owners along the route.

The monorail would link to a current system that runs between the MGM Grand and Bally's resorts, and would extend north to the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sahara hotel-casino.