Editorial: Good to see planning for rail system

Monday, Aug. 30, 2004 | 8:57 a.m.

Almost 10 years of planning was invested in the Las Vegas Beltway before a single stretch of it was ever opened. That's how long it takes to plan for major public works projects. This is why we believe the Regional Transportation Commission was right earlier this year to start planning for a light rail system that would, possibly by 2014, connect North Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Henderson.

Imagine today without a beltway, or without the CAT bus system that came on line in 1993 after years of planning. U.S. 95 and Interstate 15 would be practically impassable and surface streets would be even more clogged than they are now. With projections showing steady growth for at least another 20 years in the Las Vegas Valley, we can look ahead 10 years and envision the gridlock if a light rail system is not up and running by then.

The RTC's Citizen's Advisory Committee last week got a look at preliminary plans for the light rail system, which were authored by the consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas. Charles DeWeese, Parsons' chief planner for the system, said building it would pose no technical problems. But, as with the beltway, gaining rights-of-way and securing financing for the system -- estimates range from $700 million to $2.1 billion -- would be significant and time-consuming problems.

This is why planning for the system is beginning now. A project of this enormity would require federal funds, which generally take years to shake loose. Even with federal funds, and money from past locally approved transportation bond issues, there likely would still be a shortage, requiring perhaps another bond issue that would require voter approval.

And then there are the public hearings, which could be contentious if people's property would be affected. And the Henderson, North Las Vegas and Las Vegas city councils would have to give their approvals. On paper, the plans look simple -- 33 miles of rail linking the valley's cities, and a possible future phase linking the urban area with a proposed new airport near Jean, about 30 miles south of Las Vegas. It will be anything but simple, however. But given obvious need, we can't let that stop us, anymore than the difficulty of building the beltway and widening the Spaghetti Bowl stopped planners 10 years ago.