URBAN UPDATE

When a city grows as rapidly as Las Vegas, it's often difficult for the infrastructure to keep up with new traffic patterns and increased traffic flow. But the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), assisted by federal funding, is initializing a project that will make getting around many of the busiest roads in the area much more efficient.

The ACE Rapid Transit system will provide a state-of-the-art link between the downtown area and the southern resort corridor connecting residents, vacationers and the business community with a style befitting the city's world-class attractions. Dedicated lanes for the innovative express service will reduce traffic congestion and save time for its passengers while offering amenities unlike any other system in the state.

"The ACE Rapid Transit will give the area the speed of a light rail system at a fraction of the cost," explains Tracy Bower, RTC Director of Public Affairs. "We'll have fast service with the flexibility of running on rubber tires."

The diesel-powered hybrid vehicles will be much cheaper to operate, and their sleek, bullet shape will look more like a train. Each vehicle will be equipped with Internet access so riders can use their laptops during travel. Inside bike racks will enable passengers to bike part of the way to their destination, and finish up the trip on the ACE.

Station platforms will offer protection from the sun or bad weather, and they will be well-lighted to afford maximum safety for travelers. Closed-circuit cameras and frequent monitoring by security patrols will also ensure passengers' well-being. Ticket vending machines will make boarding smoother than traditional on-board fare collection, while electronic displays keep passengers informed about estimated arrival times of the next ACE vehicles. The stations will also be equipped with information and emergency buttons.

With vehicles arriving as often as every 10 minutes at peak times, commuters won't have to worry about being late for work. And waiting won't be boring, since stations will feature a variety of art displays. "We've worked with the burgeoning local arts community to make the stations appealing," Tracy says. Each station will also feature attractive landscaping and iconic neon signs reminiscent of Las Vegas' past.

The Downtown Connector is the first phase of the project, and will be completed by next fall. It will link the downtown area with the resort corridor and convention center. "The strip won't contain dedicated lanes," Tracy says. "But they will be in most other places. And as with any big project, there will be a few inconveniences during the building phase. But the end result will be well worth it."

The second phase, or ACE Boulder Highway, will connect downtown Las Vegas to Henderson. "We're also looking at other corridors that can be linked to the downtown area," explains Tracy. "And we want to create a number of 'park-and-rides' from the valley to the strip. With gas prices taking a bigger bite out

of people's incomes, we hope to see the ACE Rapid Transit become competitive with the car. Eventually, having a home that's near a rapid transit station will be a plus."

Over the next decade, the system will give people much greater accessibility to all parts of the Las Vegas area. "Even if people drive to work, they'll be able to leave their cars parked at lunch and go anywhere they want," says Tracy. "They'll be able to hop on the ACE, indulge in a little lunchtime retail therapy, and get back to work without wasting most of their lunch hour in travel time."

To learn more about the project go to www.rtcsnv.com.

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