Berkley Announces $33 Million For Southern Nevada Transit Projects

Funding for New Downtown Transportation Center, More Bus Rapid Transit

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (June 10, 2009) announced that southern Nevada will receive more than $33 million in federal funding for a trio of transit projects, including the new downtown Las Vegas transportation hub and additional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Boulder Highway. 

“Transportation is a key to the Valley’s quality of life.  Providing more transit options for families and visitors to Las Vegas will help address traffic issues by providing an alternative for those who do not wish to drive or do not have access to a vehicle,” said Berkley.  “Our new downtown transportation center will help bring together transit options for Valley residents, while more bus service along Boulder Highway will mean greater transportation options for those who live, work and shop in the area.  The addition of the Park and Ride facility and transit hub at Centennial Hills will also help ease congestion along U.S. 95, which is a vital link in the Valley’s overall transportation network.”            

Projects funded by the Department of Transportation grant include:

• Boulder Highway Bus Rapid Transit Construction

• Centennial Hills Transit Center and Park & Ride

• Central City Terminal Construction, Surveillance/Security, Site Landscaping, Bicycle Access Facilities.

Specifics: The Central City Terminal (CCT) is located in the downtown area of Las Vegas, Nevada and will replace the existing Downtown Transportation Center terminal. The CCT will effectively manage existing fixed route operations while accommodating future BRT systems and express routes from outlying park and ride facilities. This project is intended to exemplify sustainability and is being proposed to the U.S. Green Building Council for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The Boulder Highway BRT Project will provide a radial transit connection between downtown Las Vegas and the City of Henderson in the southeast part of the valley. The project will include dedicated side-running transit lanes along the majority of the 14-mile alignment, transit signal priority and 28 stations (14 in each direction) consisting of elevated platforms, passenger shelters, ticket vending machines and signage.

The Centennial Hills Transit Center and Park & Ride will reduce the growing congestion on US-95 due to the growth in travel demands within that corridor. The project will also complement the introduction of ACE Express Bus Service from the Northwest using the newly constructed High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on US-95.

Total Funding: $33,661,651.00

Berkley Statement On Shooting at the United States Holocaust Museum

(June 10, 2009)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today issued the following statement on the tragic loss of life at the United States Holocaust Museum following a shooting incident at the facility.

“The shooting at the United States Holocaust Museum is a sad reminder of how intolerance and hatred can lead to acts of violence.  My condolences go out to the family of the security official who was killed while defending the visitors and staff of the museum.  His bravery and actions in the line of duty are to be commended and will be long remembered.    

 “This disturbing attack and the accompanying loss of life underscore the importance of teaching each new generation about the causes of the Holocaust and how we must work to prevent the spread of intolerance and hatred based on religion, ethnicity or other factors.

 “Reports indicate that the suspect accused in this horrific incident has a long history of anti-Semitism and racism.  This hatred led to his targeting of a museum dedicated to telling the story of the Holocaust and its victims -- including more than six million Jews and other minorities who perished -- and to preventing acts of genocide from ever happening again.”