Nevada transportation projects could get millions as part of stimulus bill

Nevada could receive nearly $300 million for state transportation projects as part of national stimulus package being negotiated by Congress.

The House version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has Nevada receiving more than $291 million to be spent on transportation and infrastructure projects.

Of that figure, nearly $218 million is to be spent on highways and bridges, $45 million on transit projects, and $28 million on clean water projects.

State and local transportation officials have been preparing for weeks on how to spend the cash.

Susan Martinovich, director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, told the Transportation Board of Directors Tuesday that the state has up to $1.5 billion in projects waiting for funding. The projects cover everything from utility work to pavement preservation to new capacity roads.

"We have every scenario outlined," she said.

There have been indications from Congress that stimulus money must be assigned to projects within 180 days or states could lose it.

Some of the projects that would be ready to move forward within that time period include:

• Widening and improvements to Interstate 15 from California to Las Vegas.

• Widening U.S. Highway 95 in the northwest valley.

• Interchange improvements to the Las Vegas Beltway.

These projects are supported by the local communities where each is located, she said.

"We're geared up and ready for the door to open," Martinovich said.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.