DOT team seeks input on project

Heather Rawlyk

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

Two more open houses are scheduled 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. this week; Wednesday at the Rafael Rivera Community Center, 2900 Stewart Ave.; and Thursday Paradise Community Center, 4775 McLeod Drive.

Las Vegas Valley residents east of the Spaghetti Bowl aren't crazy about the idea of tearing up U.S. 95 all the way to Henderson to make it wider.

But that's better than the alternative of watching traffic get progressively worse as the area grows, according to Susan Berkley, who as a member of the Transportation Department Outreach Team has been gathering residents' comments for a study the DOT plans to conduct on the stretch of freeway.

"Those people who live in the subject area are very interested to see how they will be affected in this," Berkley said. "They want to know what's going to happen around them and how it may help them out."

Some residents are concerned about construction noise, she said.

"Some of them who live along the highways are a little concerned about the noise or the construction. That's understandable," she said.

On the other hand, she added, "They're excited, hoping that new roads could lessen their time in the car. They think they will be able to get to work easier, less traffic and more options."

Berkley made her comments Monday night as the first of three open houses to hear public concerns and suggestions was winding down. The study is being designed to figure out how to improve U.S. 93/95, officially known as Interstate 515, and other major roads in the southeast part of the Las Vegas Valley.

The Outreach Team is presenting design alternatives for possible transportation improvements to the highway and other area roads, Scott Rawlins, project manager for NDOT, said.

While no formal presentations were given, displays were provided showing alternative improvements intended to relieve congestion, increase roadway capacity, improve transportation system performance and increase mobility within the study area, according to NDOT.

Rawlins said the open houses are part of the first of two phases the study will undergo.

The first phase addresses issues, alternative identification and analysis. The second phase will consist of an environmental study. The study will take about four years to complete, Rawlins said.

"Right now, we're looking at the study area and throwing out planned improvement projects for the future," he said. "We're studying congested streets and trying to improve them."

Though the project is still in its proposal stage, the Transportation Department has many ideas to present to the public.

It is proposing the widening of I-515, beginning at the Spaghetti Bowl and ending at the Foothill Grade Separation near the Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino. Rawlins said it is proposed to widen the six-lane highway to between 10 and 14 lanes.

The construction of super-arterials out of already existing roads is also in the plans.

Rawlins said the public's input is encouraged.

"It's important for the public to get involved," Rawlins said. "They're the ones that drive the roadways everyday, and they need to be included in the proposals."

NDOT is offering a variety of ways to present comments.

"A good way of seeing what's going on is of course to attend one of our open houses," Rawlins said. "Here, they can see maps and the plans and comment on them."

Before entering the open house, NDOT presents each attendee with a packet of information and neon-green stickers to place directly onto the maps to point out ideas they like and dislike.

Residents were encouraged to write on each sticker, voicing any concerns. Stickers were placed with the word "No" on areas, particularly near or around residential areas.

A public comment form was included in the information packet asking attendees their input on proposed street enhancements. People could either check, "Yes, it should be studied further" or "No, it should not be studied further."

An area for comments and questions was also included on the form.

A public stenographer was present for the public to make oral statements. At the end of the evening however, she said nobody had approached her to comment.

However, she pointed to the comment box, which was full of folded papers.