A regional transportation planning authority, comprised of local representatives that tilt representation away from the urban core, rejected a voter-approved proposal for light rail in Southern Nevada.
"The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada board recently rejected a plan to build a light rail system along Maryland Parkway, despite public support for the $1 billion proposal," reports Robert Lange and William Brown Jr. That support was expressed during a "variety of long-term planning processes, public meetings and surveys," according to Lange and Brown.
"The commissioners judged light rail too expensive and opted instead to support a bus rapid transit system," according to the article. The commissioners also expressed support for the greater flexibility of a bus route.
Maryland Parkway extends from McCarran International Airport to downtown Las Vegas, connecting the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), The Boulevard Mall, Sunrise Hospital, and other commercial and residential areas, according to the RTCSNV website set up to provide information on the Maryland Corridor project.
Because the public has yet to vote on the project, Lange and Brown suggest that might be a better mechanism for the public to voice support for light rail, if they so choose.
FULL STORY: The people in Las Vegas wanted light rail, but the leaders voted for a bus
Light Rail and Buses and More, Oh My!
A light rail bridge proposed for Lady Bird Lake, still pre-design, is causing controversies about whether adding buses to the bridge would be too dangerous for the other non-automotive modes.
Calculating Bus Stop Spacing for 43 U.S. Cities
New research documents the distance between bus stops in U.S. cities—a key question for service designers that determines a lot about the public transit user experience.
Major Transit Openings Expected in 2021
All the heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail projects expected to open in North American in 2021.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions