Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
KERRY, BUSH VISITS: Stay cool; traffic to get worse
Drivers should expect delays as candidates come to town
By OMAR SOFRADZIJA
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Southern Nevadans aware of the stark differences between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry might soon see a big similarity: Both are likely to make a mess of valley traffic this week.
Kerry's visit, which began Monday night and runs through Wednesday, and Bush's one-day stop here Thursday are expected to result in rolling street closures and pop-up traffic snarls as various motorcades rumble through town.
"It's safe to say, expect delays on the roadways," Las Vegas police Capt. Vincent Cannito, who heads the department's traffic division, said Monday.
Police urge drivers to get out of the way, if they can.
"If you see the motorcade, do your best to avoid it. Obviously, we'll have onlookers along the road. That's acceptable," Cannito said. "Don't add to the problem. Stay away," if driving.
Exactly when, where and how long those road snarls will take place was a closely guarded secret this week. Citing security reasons, police declined to discuss details of travel arrangements for both the president and Kerry.
But it's fair to assume that trouble spots will include areas around and paths to each man's stops around town.
Today, those stops include the Bellagio, where Kerry is staying; Cadwallader Middle School, 7775 Elkhorn Road in the far northwestern valley, which expects Kerry around 11 a.m.; and UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center, where Kerry is holding a rally. The doors open at 3 p.m., and Kerry is expected about 6 p.m., according to campaign officials.
The event is open to the public, but tickets are required. They can be printed online at http://www.nvdems.com.
Kerry arrived in Las Vegas by bus Monday night from Arizona, passing over Hoover Dam, a notorious traffic choke point.
On Wednesday, Kerry is expected to go to Henderson's Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St., around 10 a.m., then leave by bus for Santa Monica, Calif., around lunchtime.
Interstate 15 south of downtown Las Vegas, U.S. Highway 95 northwest of the city's center, the Las Vegas Beltway in the southern valley and Henderson sections of Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Parkway are among major roads along or near Kerry's various campaign stops.
On Thursday, Bush is expected to fly into McCarran International Airport around 10 a.m. before heading to the Carpenters Training Center at Sunset Road and Gilespie Street, directly across Sunset from the airport's south end, according to campaign officials.
"It's safe to say there will be street closures for the president," Cannito said. "We'll do everything we can to expedite the process."
Those street closures could last about 15 minutes. The president leaves via McCarran immediately after the appearance.
Similar road closures took place the last time Bush visited Las Vegas, in November.
Police plan to escort Kerry's motorcade but are unlikely to completely close off his routes to traffic.
That's because of the size of his caravan, which is expected to include more than 30 buses and cars. Police believe compete street closures for a caravan that size would lead to intolerable traffic problems.
Nonetheless, "it's certainly going to have an impact on traffic in a negative manner," Cannito said. "You can't have a motorcade that large and not."
