The Regional Transportation Plan for 2009-2030 (RTP) was adopted by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada in November 2008.
The current amendment covers changes to the RTP that flow from the development and approval of the Transportation Improvement Program for 2011-14. These changes reflect a delay to the implementation of some major projects as a result of funding cuts brought on by the recession.
Some of these delays affect projects that were originally expected to be complete by 2013, but which will not now be completed until after that date. This is significant because 2013 is a “horizon year” for the air quality conformity analysis performed for the RTP. These delayed projects include:
- The upgrade to full freeway of several of the remaining sections of the Beltway (CC-215), including the interchanges at
US.95 and I-15 North; - The upgrade of the I-215 / Airport interchange. (The widening of the main lanes of I-215 in this area will still be completed by 2013);
- The full construction to 8 lanes (including BRT lanes) of the section of North 5th Street from Carey Ave to Cheyenne Ave. (The initial construction of 4 lanes, including the bridge over I-15 and the UPRR, will still be completed by 2013);
- The extension of the Las Vegas Monorail to McCarran Airport;
- Roadway improvements associated with the proposed new Ivanpah airport.
- The widening of SR-160 (Pahrump Valley Rd) west of SR-159.
This Amendment also incorporates an earlier amendment to add a Bus Rapid Transit project on Sahara Ave that is funded under the Recovery Act,
At this time, the Regional Transportation Commission is not modifying the Goals, Objectives and Strategic Approach of the RTP. Nor is the RTC revising the scope of the Strategic Investments needed to implement those goals and objectives. As a consequence, only certain sections of the RTP are affected by this amendment.
The Transportation Improvement Program for 2011-2014 has been adopted but is included in this supplemental public comment period to give the public additional opportunity to comment before final approval.
RTP Document
The Executive Summary is not amended.
A few of the project costs in the Summary of Regional Strategic Investments on p.ES-13 have been modified, as documented in the amendment to Chapter 5 below.
Chapter 1, “Developing the Plan” is not amended.
The Transportation Improvement Program for 2011-14 (TIP) was developed in accordance with the procedures and public comment as documented on pp.8-11 of the RTP. The draft TIP was made available for public comment for 30 days from June 10 to July 12, 2010 and adopted by the Regional Transportation Commission on August 12. The supplemental comment period, explaining the related amendments to the RTP starts on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 and closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 28.
A summary of response to comments received during the initial consultation was appended to the TIP as adopted and a similar summary will be attached to the RTP after October 28 before the document is forwarded for state and federal approval.
Chapter 2, “The Region Today” is not amended.
Chapter 3, “Key Issues and Challenges” is not amended.
Chapter 4, “Developing the Strategy” is not amended.
Chapter 5, “Investment Strategy” Pages 77-94 are not amended.
As noted, this amendment to the RTP is limited in scope and does not affect the substance of the Plan Investment Strategy on pp.77-94.
The Summary of Regional Strategic Investments on pp.96-107 is amended to reflect changes to the schedule for the implementation of some major projects as a result of funding cuts brought on by the recession.
Chapter 6, “Outcomes and Analysis” This Chapter is divided into three sections, two of which are affected by the Amendment.
The first, Funding the Investment Strategy, is supplemented by a Commentary on RTP Funding which discusses how the funding assumptions documented in the Regional Transportation Plan are affected by this amendment, included updated documentation of fiscal constraint.
The second, Air Quality Analysis, has been amended.
The third, Environmental Justice Analysis, is not amended.
Chapter 7, “The Next Steps” is not amended.
RTP Appendices
Appendix 1, “Transportation Capital Program Projects”. Revised Tables are appended.
Appendix 2, “Public Participation Plan and Consultation on the RTP”. This Appendix is not amended.
Appendix 3, “Regional Forecasts”. This Appendix is not amended.
Appendix 4 “Travel Demand Model Methodology and Air Quality Conformity Documentation”. This Appendix has been revised.
The technical documentation of the RTC 2004 Regional Travel Demand Model Update Package 2, as set out in Appendix 4-A is not amended.
Appendix 5, “Funding Assumptions and Fund Source Balance Sheets”.
This Appendix is supplemented by a Commentary on RTP Funding which discusses how the funding assumptions documented in the Regional Transportation Plan are affected by this amendment, included updated documentation of fiscal constraint. .
Appendix 6, “Acronyms”. This Appendix is not amended.
Appendix 7, “RTP Graphics”. This Appendix is not amended.
Supporting Documents:
(None of the supporting documents are amended. )- Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (Sept. 2008)
- Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan (June 2008)
- Southern Nevada HOV Plan Final Report
