Projects and Initiatives

Sahara Bus Rapid Transit Project2019-07-18T13:54:30-07:00

Sahara Bus Rapid Transit Project

RTC is now operating the new Sahara Express rapid transit service

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) and the Federal Transit Administration, together with the Nevada Department of Transportation, City of Las Vegas and Clark County, partnered in developing the new Sahara Express rapid transit service, which began operations on May 20, 2012. The Sahara Express is part of RTC’s larger network of rapid transit and express services that directly connect residential areas to employment and other high activity centers.

About the Project

The Sahara Express project included infrastructure improvements along a 12-mile corridor between Hualapai Way and Boulder Highway and was primarily funded with $34.4 million in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The project helped support local economic activity by creating or sustaining private-sector jobs for nearly 600 individuals and improving mobility along one of the valley’s most important corridors.
Elements of the project included implementation of new dedicated transit lanes and upgrades of the existing traffic signals that together will improve travel times for transit customers and motorists alike.  More importantly, the upgrades were made without any additional right of way and the new pavement, sidewalks and landscaping will provide smooth travel.

Some of the specific project features include:

  • Solar-powered passenger shelters with LED lighting and more shading
  • Raised station platforms for easier boarding
  • Ticket vending machines for customers to buy their passes ahead of time
  • Wider sidewalks, upgraded ramps and curbside trees for improved pedestrian access
  • Conversion of existing paved shoulders to dedicated bus-only lanes
  • New pavement along the majority of the corridor will minimize future disruptions from construction
  • Expanded Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) communications for better traffic signal control
  • Transit signal priority to help buses move along the corridor faster
  • New traffic signal at 15th Street to facilitate safer pedestrian crossings
  • Extension of premium transit service to outlying areas with elimination of transfers and faster travel time
  • Landscaping to help beautify the corridor and enhance the experience of all users
Map Legend

Photo Galleries

Sahara Express BRT Hualapai to I-15 Gallery

Sahara Express BRT I-15 to Boulder Gallery

Project Area

  • Boulder Hwy to Las Vegas Blvd.
  • Las Vegas Blvd. to Rancho Dr.
  • Rancho Dr. to Decatur Blvd.
  • Decatur Blvd. to Rainbow Blvd.
  • Rainbow Blvd. to Durango Dr.
  • Durango Dr. Hualapai Way

Contact

Ernesto Rivera, Construction Project Manager, Aggregate Industries
702-496-4519
[email protected]

Traffic cone

Seeing orange cones?
Find out about roadway projects and construction.

Download the rideRTC app

Plan your trips. Purchase your pass. Scan your phone. Hop on board.

Download the App

Receive the latest RTC news

Get news, updates and insider information from the RTC.

Subscribe to Our Blog

Plan your trip with us

Check out the latest schedule and route information.

Plan Your Trip