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FTA 40-03
Contact: Kristi Clemens
Monday, September 29, 2003
Tel.: (202) 366-4043
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $9.6 Million for Transit Projects in Nevada
Residents in Las Vegas will benefit from transit
facilities enhancements as a result of two grants totaling $9.6 million, which
were announced today by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.
“Safe, efficient and reliable transportation systems keep America on the
move. They strengthen the economy, reduce traffic congestion, protect the
environment and increase community mobility,” said Secretary Mineta. “The Bush
administration is committed to building systems in Nevada that meet communities’
needs and enrich our quality of life.”
Representative Jon Porter (NV-3) added, “Commuters and visitors alike will
benefit from these much needed funds. Improving our bus service and extending
the monorail will help meet our growing transportation needs and lay the
groundwork for future transportation needs in our community.”
An $8,168,312 grant will be used by Regional Transportation Commission of
Southern Nevada to buy two additional articulated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
buses. The grant also will be used to prepare an environmental assessment for
the city of Henderson’s intermodal transit facility and for the design and
construction of 20 BRT bus passenger shelters. The design and construction of
the bus passenger shelters will enhance the overall transit experience for a
highly transit-dependent minority area. The goals of the design are to promote
accessibility for disabled riders, improve comfort, and introduce off-board fare
collection, ultimately reducing waiting and travel times. The environmental
assessment also will assist in developing a multimodal transit facility that
will make different transit modes accessible at one location.
Another grant for $1,485,965 will assist in the preliminary engineering
funding efforts for the Las Vegas Resort Corridor Fixed Guideway Project. The
project includes engineering, construction and vehicle acquisition for 2.3-miles
of elevated monorail between Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas and the Las
Vegas Monorail Company south of Sahara Avenue, including four stations and a
maintenance facility.
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