Editorial: There’s a solution to road jams
Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 8:58 a.m.
Southern Nevada drivers do not need a study by a special-interest group out of Washington to understand the scope of the traffic crisis here. If they drive almost anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley during rush hours, they already understand. Nevertheless, the study released Wednesday by the Road Information Program -- a private group whose members profit from road-building -- reinforces the findings of our own Regional Transportation Commission. The new study states the obvious -- that the clogged condition of our primary roads costs drivers time and money and contributes to air pollution. It also states a more subtle truism -- that the situation will get exceedingly worse very quickly if a comprehensive and massive road-improvement program is not soon undertaken.
We view this latest report as reflecting the same conclusions that have been repeatedly drawn by other studies, and which would be drawn by anyone inclined to analyze Southern Nevada's traffic. Of particular note in all the studies is the conclusion that improvements cannot be limited to road building and road widening. The future will be no better than the present unless there's an aggressive plan to simultaneously expand our options for mass transit. Bicycle lanes, better technology for managing traffic and more attention to sidewalks are also key to a comprehensive plan.
Twelve years ago Southern Nevada voters approved Question 10, whose tax increases brought us a redesigned Spaghetti Bowl, the Desert Inn Super Arterial, improvements in the Strip area, development of the Las Vegas Beltway and dozens of other improvements. Getting around by car would be nearly impossible today had those improvements not been made. Voters in the coming general election will have the chance to vote on another Question 10, whose modest tax increases would enable the comprehensive plan so desperately needed. We hope voters today have the same regard for the future as did the voters in 1990.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Binion’s to close all 365 rooms, lay off 100 workers
- Ex-NBA star to pay $12,835 monthly in gambling debt case
- “Last Call!”: Two words you wouldn’t expect to hear on The Strip
- Slot makers team up at behest of CityCenter
- Report: 70 percent of homeowners underwater
- Scuffle in pub parking lot leads to attorney’s arrest
- What reactions to Palin, Stewart say about society
- Now, Rebels must build on big Louisville win
- Nevada leads nation in rate of bankruptcy filings
- LV budget numbers foretell many layoffs
Blogs
The Kats Report
Planet Hollywood's Thomas McCartney headed for Tropicana (13 Comments)
Elsewhere
LV woman robs Kentucky strip club, police say (4 Comments)
Las Vegas Sands' Hong Kong IPO flops (3 Comments)
The Kats Report
Monday List: Top 13 Moments and Observations From Thanksgiving Weekend (4 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Tarkanian: Reid is liberal, out of touch, rude, poisonously partisan and a know-it-all (18 Comments)
The Kats Report
Barry Manilow off to Paris: Two-year deal starts March 5 at Le Theatre des Arts (12 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Ensign survives radio interview with no follow-ups; partial transcript below (11 Comments)
Calendar »
- 1 Tue
- 2 Wed
- 3 Thu
- 4 Fri
- 5 Sat
-
Grand opening of Vdara
Vdara | 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Dik Richie at Moon
Moon Nightclub | 10:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
A Night to Honor Israel at the Cashman Theatre
Cashman Convention Center | 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Ladies night at Feelgoods
Feelgoods
-
Sin City Sinners at VooDoo Lounge
VooDoo Steak & Lounge
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati






