Maryland Parkway is a vital corridor for the Las Vegas Valley, extending from McCarran International Airport to downtown Las Vegas, and connecting many high-activity centers, such as University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), The Boulevard Mall, Sunrise Hospital, as well as commercial and residential areas. Investments in transportation infrastructure could improve mobility along the corridor for motorists, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians and enhance access to the surrounding areas.
The Maryland Parkway environmental assessment was completed in 2019. The RTC Board of Directors voted to move forward with the less expensive bus rapid transit option in April. The Federal Transit Administration issued the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in December 2019. The project will move forward with submitting an application for federal funding in 2020.
Maryland Parkway Spotlight
9,000
Transit Riders Daily
35,000
Vehicles Daily
90,000
Residents
85,000
Jobs
25 Transit Route Connections
Including 9 busiest in valley
Project Overview
The project will include a 8.7 mile high-capacity transit system to seamlessly link activity centers along Maryland Parkway with an extension to the Las Vegas Medical District, on Alta Drive.
ELEMENTS
- Premium transit service
- Enhanced stations
- Dedicated lanes
- Enhanced mobility options
- Signalized pedestrian crossing
- Protected bike lanes
- Wider sidewalks
- Corridor enhancements
- Landscaping
- Public art
BENEFITS
- New transportation option
- Increased frequency
- Improved accessibility
- Increase safety
- Improved access
- Encourage walking and biking
- New transportation infrastructure
- Support redevelopment
- Create a sense of place
Proposed Route
Transit Technology Options Previously Considered
| Existing Route 109 |
Enhanced Route 109 |
BRT Build Alternative |
LRT Build Alternative |
|
| Ridership (opening year) | 9,000 | 10,000 | 13,000 | 16,100 |
| Average travel time (min) | 45 min | 44 min | 38 min | 32 min |
| Capital cost (YOE $) | $15M | $29M | $335M | $750M |
| Operating & maintenance costs | $5.9M | $6.8M | $7.2M | $11.5M |
| Operating & maintenance costs per boarding | $2.19 | $2.27 | $1.80 | $2.38 |
Enhanced Route 109
| Vehicle Size | 60 ft articulated bus |
| Capacity | 90 passengers per vehicle |
| Station Spacing | 1/3 – mile spacing |
| Configuration | Mixed with traffic |
| Capital Costs | $29 million |
| Operating & Maintenance Costs | $6.8 million |
Bus Rapid Transit
| Vehicle Size | 60 ft articulated bus |
| Capacity | 90 passengers per vehicle |
| Station Spacing | 1/3 – mile spacing |
| Configuration | In-street with dedicated lanes |
| Capital Costs | $335 million |
| Operating & Maintenance Costs | $7.2 million |
Light Rail
| Vehicle Size | 91 ft single unit train |
| Capacity | 140 passengers per vehicle |
| Station Spacing | 1/3 – mile spacing |
| Configuration | In-street with dedicated lanes |
| Capital Costs | $750 million |
| Operating & Maintenance Costs | $11.5 million |
Recap from Public Meetings
As part of a public comment period, the RTC reached out to the community to hear firsthand from the people who live and work in and around Maryland Parkway about how they want to travel – specifically discussing three options: enhancing the current bus service (Route 109), implementing bus rapid transit service or building light rail.
Questions from attendees ran the gamut. From project costs and projected economic development to maintaining travel lanes and improving pedestrian safety, the meetings enabled attendees to better understand the benefits and impacts of the three options.
“We’ve had extensive support and excitement around the light rail concept but any improvement would be awesome,” said Timo Kuusela, general manager of The Boulevard Mall, located in the heart of Maryland Parkway and where the RTC held one of its meetings.
At the public meeting held at the Fifth Street School, one resident expressed significant concerns regarding pedestrian safety, especially for students at UNLV, and proposed overhead pedestrian bridges be considered as part of the plan.
At the end of the public comment period, the local preferred alternative was the light rail option. However, after thorough consideration, the RTC Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with the less expensive, bus rapid transit option in April 2019.
Maryland Parkway Discussions
Insights to Mobility Along Maryland Parkway
Transportation Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
February 1, 2018
Economic Development Panel Discussion
Transportation Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
April 5, 2018
Maryland Parkway Public Meeting
February 21, 2019
Resources
Maryland Parkway
- Receive Email Updates
- Review the Environmental Assessment
- Maryland Parkway Fact Sheet
- SNS Opportunity Site report for Maryland Parkway
- Maryland Pkwy Final Alternative Analysis Report
- Finding of No Significance Impact (FONSI)
- RTC RTP TIP 1997 Ozone Conformity Determination
- Maryland Parkway – Technical Memorandum
- Maryland Parkway – Summary of Public Comments
- Maryland Parkway – All Public Comments
Maryland Parkway TOD
Clark County
- Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment
- TOD Market Readiness Analysis
- TOD Workforce Housing Plan
- Value Capture Toolkit
City of Las Vegas
- Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment
- TOD Market Readiness Analysis
- TOD Workforce Housing Plan
- Value Capture Toolkit
Online Comment