Spaghetti Bowl ranks among nation’s worst bottlenecks

Sito Negron

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2004 | 11:34 a.m.

A national survey released today claims that Las Vegas has America's 22nd worst bottleneck, U.S. 95 leading into the Interstate 15 interchange, known locally at the Spaghetti Bowl. It costs valley residents 11 million hours in lost time each year.

The survey, commissioned by the American Highway Users Alliance and largely paid for by donations from industry groups representing such interests as contractors and auto manufacturers, suggests focusing on the bottlenecks as a way of reducing overall traffic.

"We're hoping to point out the major sources of traffic congestion around the country and show that by fixing these all motorists can realize significant benefits," said Bill Buff, a spokesman for the alliance.

Those benefits include less accidents, reduced emissions from idling vehicles, and improvement in quality of life because of less time in traffic, he said.

The report -- an update to a 1999 survey by the alliance -- comes as Congress is debating a six-year transportation bill. The Senate appropriated $318 billion, the House proposed $375 billion, and the White House is seeking $256 billion.

"We're asking them to pass the bill," Buff said.

The report was generated through surveys sent to state transportation departments, a review of Highway Performance Monitoring System Universe data, which are submitted to the federal governments by states each year, and follow up contacts with officials in the areas considered to be the top bottlenecks.

While it describes the worst bottlenecks and is meant to spur action in releasing the highway money from Congress, it also describes some successes, noting that seven of the top 18 bottlenecks identified in the 1999 study are not now in the top 30.

In Las Vegas, it notes that current work on U.S. 95 leading to the Spaghetti Bowl, expected to finish in two years, would over 20 years result in 3,524 fewer crashes, save more than 231.6 million gallons of fuel, and save 30 minutes per round-trip for the average commuter.

Kirsten Lambrecht, an accountant who lives near Centennial Parkway in Northwest Las Vegas and drives to work downtown every day, says she sometimes takes the beltway to North Las Vegas, then takes I-15 south to downtown.

"It's longer, but depending on the time of day it takes me less time," she said. And if she hits 95 and the Spaghetti Bowl at the wrong time of day, she said, "I sit and wait."

Bob McKenzie, Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman, said his organization already is working on the clogged area of I-95 as it meets the Spaghetti Bowl.

"The highest priority now, with the growth in Summerlin and northwest Las Vegas, is U.S. 95, and we're making great inroads, with bridges at Valley View and Decatur and the preparation (to develop ramps) at Rancho," he said. "One key point to remember is yes, we realize there is congestion, but we are making every effort we can to ease that congestion and at the same time expand with the growth."

The Las Vegas Valley is the fastest-growing major urban area in the county, and much of the growth is taking place in northwest Las Vegas, served by U.S. 95. However, there are other points along the valley where growth and traffic collide, including the Interstate 215-U.S. 95 interchange under way.

Dan Hyde, who serves as the chairman of the Regional Transportation Commission's citizens advisory board, said he spends more than an hour each day in traffic, driving from Henderson to his job in Northwest Las Vegas.

"The only thing I can tell you is congestion is everybody's problem and it isn't going to get any better. All we can do is do our best to move the traffic as efficiently as possible," Hyde said.

Bruce Turner, an assistant planning director with the Regional Planning Commission, said the report's suggestions -- fixing the bottlenecks and improving transit, carpooling, traffic management systems and other strategies -- represent issues being addressed by his agency.

"We're looking at ways to provide more options for people," he said. "We want to certainly support streets and highways because most people will be driving, but we also want to provide alternatives for people who don't want to drive or don't have a car."

Turner said that might involve expanding the use of the Metropolitan Area Express, known as Max, a 60-foot European bus that operates almost like a train.