RTC reveals proposed mass transit during public meetings

Eric Leake

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005 | 9:12 a.m.

Additional public meetings on light rail systems are scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club, 2980 Robindale Road.; and Jan. 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Andre Agassi Boys & Girl Club at 800 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.

For more information, visit www.rtcsouthernnevada.com or call 676-1500

Looking over the map of a proposed fixed guideway transportation system, Jim Ebert liked what he saw Wednesday at the Regional Transportation Commission's public meeting.

"I think the rail system can be great and really an attraction to our future visitors," said Ebert, a resident of Henderson.

Ebert said he follows growth issues. He spoke as a fan of mass transportation and said it's important that the system is planned with every consideration.

The meeting at the Valley View Recreation Center, the second of four meetings to be held on the proposed transit system, was an opportunity to learn of and give input on transit plans.

Less than 10 residents had come to the meeting by the time RTC General Manager Jacob Snow began his presentation. Snow said that depending on the plans -- anything from electric light rail to hybrid bus -- the system would cost between $300 million to $800 million, as much as half of that granted by the federal government.

The 33-mile system would start near the Nevada State College in Henderson, utilize the Union Pacific Railroad's Henderson spur, continue behind the Strip at Frank Sinatra Drive, join tracks along Industrial Road to downtown, and proceed along Fifth Street in North Las Vegas to Centennial Parkway and to the proposed UNLV satellite campus.

Snow said construction could start in 2009, which would mean the system could open in 2012.

First, a steering commission and the RTC must draft proposals for the system based in part upon public input.

RTC spokeswoman Ingrid Reisman said the most common public concerns so far are about noise, safety, and the impact on neighborhoods.

Rick and Judy Boyko's house is right against the tracks in Henderson. Once in a while when a freight train comes by, "It starts the chandeliers moving," Rick Boyko said.

The Boykos attended the meeting concerned that a light rail system would be noisy -- Snow said it wouldn't be -- and they wanted assurances that it wouldn't disturb their neighborhood.

"If it wasn't in my backyard I'd feel a whole lot different," Judy Boyko said.

Her husband added,"We're in kind of a secluded area. That's why we moved out there. Now there's going to be access there from anywhere."

Rick Boyko said he works construction and that the transit system would not benefit him much, though he recognized the need.

"The way Las Vegas is growing, we're going to need more than just buses," he said.