From McCarran International Airport to the Las Vegas Medical District in downtown Las Vegas, the Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route connects many significant activity centers in our valley.\u00a0 UNLV, the Boulevard Mall, Sunrise and Valley Hospitals, University Medical Center, and several neighborhoods in between are just a few to mention.<\/p>\r\n
In December 2019, the Federal Transit Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for this heavily traveled area, allowing the project to move forward into engineering and design. But what does all of that mean for our community?\u00a0 It means all of the studying, planning and input on the BRT project will be brought to life in preparation for construction.<\/p>\r\n
The Maryland Parkway BRT route is being developed to provide light rail like service, but with enhanced buses.\u00a0 The project will include enhanced transit stations and dedicated lanes, upgraded pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and wider sidewalks, median landscaping and public art.\u00a0 The preliminary design for public review and input is expected to be available in summer 2021, and the final design completed in late 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
The RTC recently awarded the engineering and design contract to a local firm, GCW, and their team of Nevada-based sub-consultants at its October 8 board meeting.\u00a0 Consistent with the RTC\u2019s efforts to include local small and diverse businesses, this contract is projected to come in three times higher than the 2% goal for professional services.<\/p>\r\n