2,000 jobs on the way

The Regional Transportation Commission announced Thursday a variety of new road projects throughout the Las Vegas Valley that will create 2,000 jobs, thanks to the Legislature's decision to extend a one-eighth cent sales tax approved in 2003.

The transportation agency plans to sell $169 million in bonds Aug. 10 to help fund "shovel-ready" projects, including the much-anticipated Fifth Street interchange at Interstate 15 and new lanes on Valley View and Jones boulevards.

The sales tax had been set to expire in 2028 or when $1.7 billion was raised, whichever came first, said Mike Hand, the commission's director of engineering. State lawmakers in the previous session approved the indefinite extension because it allows local government agencies to move forward with road projects without increasing taxes.

Commissioners emphasized the importance of creating local jobs. The state has a preference law that allows government agencies to approve local bids up to 5 percent higher than the overall lowest bid, but commissioners are not completely satisfied.

Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross called the preference law "worthless," indicating the percentage figure should be higher. Clark County Commissioner Chris Guinchigliani urged transportation commissioners to make sure general contractors also hire local subcontractors.

Riding on Guinchigliani's concerns, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman noted his frustration with visiting construction sites and listening to workers talk about how excited they are to return to Arizona and California to spend time with their families.

"Two thousand jobs are great, but we have to do anything we can to make sure the jobs go to locals," Goodman said. "I know what the limitations are, and we need to stretch them. I'm willing to go into litigation if I have to."

Each city and the county submitted a list of unfunded projects that had been designed and were ready for construction.

Priorities include fixing roads in poor condition and improving traffic flow.

For one of the major projects, Jones will become three lanes northbound, and Valley View will be three lanes southbound to improve the north-south commute. The widening will occur in the existing rights of way, meaning no homes will be taken.

Other major projects include constructing Galleria Drive in Henderson from Boulder Highway to Burns Avenue, extending North Fifth Street to the Las Vegas Beltway and widening Las Vegas Boulevard between U.S. Highway 95 and Owens Avenue.

Money will be spent in outlying areas such as Indian Springs, Laughlin, Mesquite, Searchlight and Mount Charleston.

The transportation agency also plans to fulfill an unfunded state mandate to build bus turnouts on Sahara Avenue.

"This will create all kinds of jobs," Hand said. "From the guys swinging hammers to doing rebar work. Jobs will be white collar to blue collar. They're all across the spectrum."

Contractors will have 60 days after a contract is awarded to start work. If they fail to do so, the Regional Transportation Commission will move to the next project on the list.

Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@review journal.com or 702-387-2904.