If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas, you know how crowded the strip gets. From the sidewalks to the highways
and everything in between, traffic is heavy all around. The strip may only be a few blocks long, but the
traffic jam that occurs every evening makes it feel like a never-ending road trip.
Las Vegas has been a popular vacation spot for ages, yet the transportation system is entirely outdated,
and can’t keep up with the renovations and expansions on the strip. With all the current projects and
expected additions to this favorite travel spot, how will the transportation system be able to handle it?
Well, finally, there is a possible solution in the works that may help with this major issue by lessening
the road and sidewalk traffic on the strip.
As of late last week, a proposal of a high-speed underground subway built to run below Las Vegas Boulevard
is being considered for implementation. This possible system could help to solve to the current issues and
future issues expected to arise with the transportation system in the city.
According to Las Vegas Review-Journal, the regional Transportation Commission of
Southern Nevada met last week to present the draft of their Transportation Investment Business Plan, which
includes a 15-point plan to improve on the current system. While this group is made of up stakeholders and
private business owners, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the individuals were told to focus on the
big problem, and forget their individuals issues and benefits, with hopes of coming up with a plan to favor
the majority.
The expected growth of the city along with the increase in tourism at this vacation hotspot is causing
these transportation leaders to worry about the already problematic transportation of the city, hence the
need for a new plan. The ongoing concern has birthed this pricey plan to construct a new underground railway
system right in (or under) the heart of the city, that will cost millions to build.
The final decision about this plan has yet to be made. It is still being considered, and if chosen, it
will likely not be finished within the next ten to twenty years.
But remember, good things come to those who wait. The plans for this railway system includes a whopping
$750 million of construction to make the hybrid light-rail system that will run both underground and above
ground in certain areas. This high-speed train will be a quick and cheap way for tourists to travel through
the downtown areas of the city.
While this is a hefty price for the new system, and will take a while to start construction, there are
other short term plans that may be implemented to help improve travel within the city within the next five to
ten years.
While this is a hefty price for the new system, and will take a while to start construction, there are
other short term plans that may be implemented to help improve travel within the city within the next five to
ten years.
For those with travel plans to Las Vegas during this time, there should not be much trouble getting
around. While some sidewalks or roads may be closed off from time to time while they improve these features,
they will still make sure the people are being considered and will offer alternative routes to make the
adjustment as easy as possible.
While Las Vegas does not currently have the most favorable traffic in the country, the future plans to
improve the city’s transportation system will make this location even more fun for tourists. These highly
anticipated plans will certainly be worth the wait.