After years of extraordinary growth, Nevada’s transportation infrastructure is stretched to the limit.  Nevada remains one of the fastest growing states in the country, adding several thousand residents every month.  We are also one of the most-visited states with millions of tourists traveling to Nevada each year.  

The economic downturn has reduced revenues for our roads, airports, and rail lines, but this slower period of growth also presents us with an extraordinary opportunity to make lasting improvements to plan for the future.  

Improving our transportation infrastructure remains one of my highest priorities.  Since my earliest days on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have worked to bring federal funding back to build better roads, improve public transit, and strengthen our airports.  My position as Senate Majority Leader means I can deliver even more federal funds to Nevada to improve our quality of life.

Brief Transportation Overview

• I worked to secure $250 million for Nevada transportation projects in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, P.L. 111-5).
• I secured more than $25 million for Nevada transportation projects in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act.  A list of these projects is here.
• Since 2003, I have worked closely with my colleagues to secure over $1.6 billion for Nevada’s transportation projects, including the 2003 transportation authorization, SAFETEA, and the 2005 National Highway Bill.
• My provision to the 2005 Highway Bill ensured that federal funding formulas included tourists and other transient populations, resulting in a 30 percent increase in highway funding and a 152 percent increase in public transit for Nevada over 1998 levels.

Transportation – Maintaining Our Quality of Life
Every minute spent in congested traffic, is a wasted opportunity for Nevada’s families and businesses.  According to recent statistics, 44% of Nevada’s roads and highways are congested .  Another study shows that Nevadans lose between 14 and 42 cents every minute that they are stuck in traffic .  That is why I am working with state and local officials to provide funding to reduce congestion on Nevada’s roads and highways.  Below are a few examples:

• $1.1 million for Interchanges on the S. NV Beltway, I-215 (FY09)
• $1.187 million for the Starr Road Interchange and Extension to St. Rose Parkway in Henderson (FY09)
• $1.425 million for congestion relief on the Pyramid Lake Highway Corridor in Sparks (FY09)
• $1 million for NDOT to widen I-15 from Sloan to Apex (FY08)
• $1 million for the FAST Congestion Improvement Program (FY07)

Transportation – Creating Good Paying Jobs
Simply put, building infrastructure creates jobs.  Every billion spent on infrastructure creates 35,000 jobs, according to Department of Transportation Statisticsiii.  Over the last decade, I have worked to direct more than $1.6 billion to Nevada for our transportation projects.  

In the last highway bill, I helped direct more than $87 million to Northern Nevada transportation projects including:

• $28 million to improve I-80/I-580 in the Reno/Sparks area
• $10 million for the V&T Railroad Reconstruction Project in Carson City
• $12 million for Bus Rapid Transit on Virginia Street in Reno
• $2 million for the Carson City Bypass Project
• $2 million for Elko Roadside Improvements near the California Trail Interpretive Center

In Southern Nevada, I worked to send more than $265 million in highway bill funding to local transportation projects:

• $32 million for the Las Vegas Valley Fixed Regional Guideway
• $25 million for I-15 widening from Primm to Sloan
• $26.5 million for I-15 widening from US95 to Apex
• $50 million for the Hoover Dam Bypass near Boulder City
• $21 million for the Colorado River Bridge in Laughlin

Improving Safety on Nevada’s Roads
In addition to being congested, many of Nevada’s roads are in need of repair.  Poor road conditions cost Nevadans $212 million every year in additional car maintenance and operating costs.   As a result, I worked to provide needed funding for a variety of maintenance projects:

• $750,000 for the construction of the Sunset Maintenance Facility (FY08)
• $1 million for the Pyramid Highway Early Action Items (FY07)

According to the Nevada Highway User’s coalition, more than one person dies on an average day on Nevada’s roads.  Compared to an average state, Nevadans are 42 percent more likely to be killed in a traffic accidentiv. This is unacceptable, and I am committed to improving safety on Nevada’s roads.

Recently, Senator John Ensign and I were able to work together to obtain two grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation for highway safety and enforcement programs in Carson City.

• $1 million for Nevada highway safety programs.
• $200,000 for a seatbelt enforcement program designed to reduce deaths and injuries

Making Air Travel Safer and More Convenient
More than 50 million passengers arrive at McCarran International Airport each year, making it one of the busiest airports in the United States.  Meanwhile, Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Northern Nevada has seen its cargo business expand by over 13 percent—one of the fastest growth rates in the country.

Nevada’s economy relies on its airports, and this is why it is so essential that we make the necessary investments to keep Nevada's air transportation system safe and efficient.  

• $55 million for a new TRACON Airport Control Tower at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas (FY07)
• I recently worked to add additional Customs and Border Protection Officers at McCarran to inspect the rise in international traffic and help process passengers.
• I have also worked on facility upgrades at the Reno-Tahoe Airport and on other rural airports throughout the state.
• $2.1 million for upgrades to the Carson City Airport (FY08)
• $237,500 for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Reno-Tahoe Airport (FY09)
• $1 million to help connect the S. NV Beltway (215) to McCarran Airport (FY07)

Because I fly from Washington to Nevada nearly every week, I recognize the woeful customer service standards of the nation’s airlines.  I am working to pass the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights (S. 213) that would require airlines to provide food, water, and restroom facilities during a delay.  This legislation will make a fundamental change for millions of tourists and passengers who travel to and from Nevada each year.

Building Mass Transit Systems and Reducing Air Pollution
Given that nearly 50% of the visitors to Southern Nevada come from California, I have worked for years to develop a high speed rail corridor between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.  In less than 2 hours, visitors could travel this heavily congested corridor on a modern, high speed train.  President Obama is committed to high speed rail and requested more than $8 billion in grants for these projects in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  I am hopeful that the Nevada project will soon be eligible for these grants.
In the meantime, I have worked to secure the following funding for high speed rail projects:

• $45 million in funding for an environmental study of Las Vegas to Primm route for MagLev Train(FY08)
• $500,000 for the RTC of Southern NV for a high speed rail feasibility study (FY07)
• $45 million for the California-Nevada Super Highspeed Train (Highway Bill)

I also recognize the need for efficient bus and light rail systems throughout Nevada to offer an affordable alternative to driving.  Worked closely with the Regional Transportation Commissions (RTCs) in Northern and Southern Nevada, I have helped fund improvements to transit centers and bus equipment.

• $1.4 million for NDOT’s Statewide Bus Service (FY09)
• $950,000 for the Central City Intermodal Transit Center in Las Vegas (FY09)
• $750,000 for Reno and Sparks Intermodal Transit Centers (FY08)
• $475,000 for Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization for Lake Tahoe Bus Facilities (FY09)
• $12 million for Boulder Highway Bus Rapid Transit System (Highway Bill)

Looking Forward
The 111th Congress will consider two important transportation bills.  We are expected to complete Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase funds for the next generation of safety systems and our airports.  Congress will also tackle the next Highway Bill to plan for surface transportation projects throughout Nevada and the nation.  When these bills come before the full Senate, you may be sure that I will continue fighting to reduce congestion, improve safety, and maintain our quality of life.