| Rainbow Boulevard - Desert Inn Road
Corridors Study |
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 The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is in the final stages of a transportation study of both Desert Inn Road and Rainbow Boulevard. Current traffic levels are already heavy and are expected to grow over the next several years. The intent of the study was to determine ways to improve traffic flow along both corridors. Though the study is nearly complete, there is no funding available for any of the options studied and the RTC Board of Commissioners has not approved moving forward with any phase of the projects studied.
The study concentrated on Rainbow Boulevard from U.S. 95 to Desert Inn Road and on Desert Inn Road from Rainbow Boulevard to Valley View Boulevard. The study examined both short-term and long-term solutions to the traffic congestion in both corridors. Short-term improvements may include the installation of an additional lane on Rainbow Boulevard between Sahara Avenue and Desert Inn Road, installation and or lengthening of existing turn lanes at the major intersections, some form of access management using median islands to increase safety at intersections while maintaining right turns into and out of businesses and neighborhoods, and adding turn-out areas for buses to reduce traffic obstruction.
On Desert Inn Road, long-term improvements studied include overpasses at major streets such as Valley View Boulevard, Decatur Boulevard and Jones Boulevard and a flyover at Rainbow Boulevard. Drivers would be able to bypass intersections that they do not plan to access, alleviating congestion. On Rainbow Boulevard, overpasses at Sahara Avenue and Charleston Boulevard would allow drivers to bypass those intersections. Access to businesses and residential areas would be maintained by keeping at-grade travel lanes open at those intersections. Bicycle and pedestrian bridges could be developed to preserve neighborhood connectivity. Draft drawings of those concepts were reviewed at a public meeting.
 The RTC held a public meeting on the study on December 4, 2007 and public comment was accepted through January 18, 2008. To date, the RTC has received more than 500 comments from property owners concerned about the impacts that the options studied could have on the homes in the area. Those comments are entered into the official record for the study. The RTC is aware of the public’s concern over the impact the long-term options may have on the existing residential neighborhoods. Due to the concerns, the RTC recommended that the long-term options studied not be pursued. This recommendation was presented to the RTC’s Executive Advisory Committee on May 29, 2008 and in conclusion, the RTC will not be moving forward with the super arterial along this corridor. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the RTC’s Public Information Office at (702) 676-1606.
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