Bill includes $45 million in funds for Las Vegas-to-Primm maglev train

Benjamin Grove

Friday, July 29, 2005 | 11:03 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Nevada lawmakers will return home for a traditional August congressional recess with a present for their districts -- millions of dollars for highway and transit projects.

Today, the House overwhelmingly approved a six-year, $286.4 billion transportation spending bill, chock full of specially earmarked interstate, bridge and roadwork projects for every state. The Senate will take up the bill this afternoon. President Bush is expected to promptly sign the bill.

The bill includes $45 million for a long-stalled effort to construct a high-speed, magnetic levitation train from Las Vegas to Primm.

Nevada also would receive about $1.3 billion over five years in formula funding or about $260 million per year, and at least $300 million in additional money for specially earmarked projects.

Nevada has two members on the House Transportation Committee -- Democrat Shelley Berkley and Republican Jon Porter -- which gives the state an advantage in the scramble for allocations.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., a member of the Appropriations Committee, also secures money for the state.

According to Nevada congressional offices, the bill pays for Nevada projects that include: