Las Vegas Wash trail gets past bureaucracies

A 2.6-mile segment of a recreational trail along Las Vegas Wash that had been planned for construction last year instead was stalled by approvals from various agencies that have a stake in the wash, a city public works official said.

"We've gotten over the majority of the obstacles, and it's really going to happen," Las Vegas trails planner and project engineer Connie Diso said.

Construction of the segment between East Charleston Boulevard and Stewart Avenue, which would link bike trails on the eastern and western outskirts of the Las Vegas Valley, required permits and clearances from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Regional Flood Control District.

Diso predicts construction of the second of two phases of the segment will be completed in the fall of 2010, with work on the first phase expected to begin this spring.

The $7.7 million project is being funded with money from the sale of public lands in Southern Nevada. The cost of the trail is more expensive than other trails in the valley, because it includes buying private land for access to it and amenities such as benches, and lighting to deter vandalism, Diso said.

"We're talking about cleaning up graffiti as it occurs, hopefully," she said. "As far as security, it is a challenge we acknowledge."

Diso said public works officials are seeking funding for security cameras to enhance the safety of the trail segment where vagrants live and the crime rate is relatively high.

"We're going to try and get some kind of private ownership among the residents and seek volunteer help," she said.

The entities have been meeting, and they all have a heightened awareness about security and maintenance.

In 2006, the city spent more than $111,000 on paint and supplies and nearly $572,000 in labor to clean up more than 63,000 walls, structures, signs and places marred by graffiti.

Martin Dean Dupalo, a 28-year resident of the neighborhood, wonders if the trail will ever be built and if it can be made safe for families and children to use it.

"They've had years to talk to these government agencies, but locally they never asked the people in the area if they have any input," he said.

KEITH ROGERS Wondering how a local story turned out or what happened to someone in the news? Call the City Desk at 383-0264, and we will try to answer your question in this column.