What is the Regional 

Transportation Commission 

of Southern Nevada?

With more than 2 million people living in Southern Nevada and another 39 million tourists visiting our community annually, keeping up with the 

increasing demands on the local transportation 

system and infrastructure requires innovation and 

long-range planning. The Regional Transportation 

Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is tasked 

with meeting this challenge while providing a safe, 

convenient and effective regional transportation 

system that enhances mobility and air quality for 

citizens and visitors. 

The RTC is both the transit authority and the transportation planning agency for Southern Nevada. 

The agency’s governing body is comprised of representatives from Clark County as well as the cities 

of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite 

and North Las Vegas. 

The RTC functions as the Metropolitan Planning 

Organization (MPO) for the region, designated under federal regulation by the governor of Nevada. 

The MPO is responsible for overseeing the transportation planning process for the region.

In addition, the RTC directs funding generated 

from various local, state and federal funds for 

transportation purposes.

Executive Summary

The RTC is also the regional transit agency providing service for the general public and paratransit 

services for disabled persons. The agency also 

promotes transportation demand management 

programming through the Club Ride program.

Finally, the RTC operates the Freeway and Arterial 

System of Transportation (FAST), one of the fi rst 

truly integrated Intelligent Transportation System 

(ITS) organizations in the country. FAST monitors 

and controls traffi c in the valley.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2009 - 2030 ES1
What is the Regional 

Transportation Plan and 

why is it necessary?

The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is a comprehensive and long-range plan for the transportation system in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. 

It details the transportation investment needed 

between now and the year 2030. The RTP is also 

the guiding document for making the best use of 

federal transportation funds. 

The RTC is required by federal law to update the 

RTP every four years. While the current RTP was 

approved in 2006, it needs to be updated now to 

refl ect revenue changes. From 2005 to 2006, local 

revenues were rising. Federal funding was stable, 

and the state was considering new initiatives to 

address anticipated funding shortfalls in transportation. 

Today, federal, state and local funding is running 

well short of what is needed.

Urban growth in Clark County has slowed down 

but not stopped. Major developments are likely 

to accelerate growth again in the near future. In 

the longer term, recently updated population 

forecasts indicate that by 2030 the economy of 

the area will support a population that is almost 

double what it is now. This growth will result in an 

ever-increasing volume of traffi c on our roadways.

The RTC determined that it needed to reevaluate 

what can be done with present revenue streams 

and to identify the challenges faced with increased 

demand for travel at a time of static resources. 

ES2 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

What is the RTC’s vision 

for transportation in 

Southern Nevada?

The explosive growth of Clark County directly 

impacts transportation needs. The RTC has 

obtained local funding sources to help alleviate 

traffi c congestion and air quality problems. These 

funds, along with those from the state and federal 

governments, have been used to develop better 

traffi c signals and more travel lanes. However, alleviating traffi c congestion is more than just adding 

capacity and infrastructure on the roads.

SAFETEA-LU requires planning, evaluation and 

maintenance of non-motorized travel in metropolitan areas. The current federal legislation encourages major cities to look at increasing the mobility 

of their citizens by providing safe and convenient 

transportation options for all. 

The RTC’s vision is to “provide a safe, convenient 

and effective regional transportation system that 

enhances mobility and air quality for citizens and 

visitors.”
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2009 - 2030 ES3

Along with this vision, the RTC has set the 

following long-range goals:

◗ Implement transportation systems that improve air quality and protect the environment

◗ Reduce greenhouse gas carbon footprint

◗ Provide for urban sustainability

◗ Develop fully integrated modal options

◗ Enhance the effi ciency of existing 

transportation facilities

◗ Improve access to mass transportation 

facilities and services

◗ Secure funding for expansion, operation and 

maintenance of transportation systems and 

routes

◗ Enhance public awareness and support of the 

regional transportation system

◗ Improve safety for all travelers

◗ Improve security for all travelers

◗ Support more effi cient freight movement

What has the RTC 

accomplished?

Since 1990, the RTC and its partner agencies have 

multiple transportation accomplishments that have 

responded to the tremendous growth in the Las 

Vegas Valley.

In 17 years, the local population has grown by 133 

percent, adding nearly 1 million new residents in 

the Las Vegas Valley. Local traffi c volumes grew 

even faster, with a 157 percent increase since 1992.

The RTC directed local revenues generated by two 

Question 10 initiatives in 1992 and 2001 to numerous roadway projects sponsored by Clark County 

and the incorporated cities in the region. Other 

projects have been funded by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) using both federal 

program funds and the proceeds of the state gas 

tax. 

The streets and highways program has widened the 

existing U.S. 95 freeway through Las Vegas, added 

the state’s fi rst carpool lanes and constructed the 

Las Vegas Beltway, a four-lane divided highway 

wrapping around the Las Vegas Valley. The program has also developed various interchanges and 

transformed Desert Inn Road into a superarterial for 

east-west travel through the middle of Las Vegas. 
In 1992, the RTC assumed responsibility from a 

private operator to manage public transit services 

in the Las Vegas area. RTC Transit also manages 

the ADA-compliant paratransit service and Silver 

Star routes serving senior citizens.

Annual local transit ridership has increased from 22 

million in 1994 to more than 62 million today. Ridership on the popular Deuce double-deck buses, 

which replaced conventional bus service along the 

Las Vegas Strip in recent years, has now exceeded 

30,000 passengers per day.

The 2001 Question 10 ballot initiative also provided funding for the FAST regional traffi c management system that monitors and analyzes real-time 

traffi c conditions on the freeways, major arterials 

and roadways through closed-circuit television 

cameras and road sensors. This funding helped 

optimize traffi c signal timing for more than 1,000 

miles of well-traveled local roadways.

In 2006, the RTC enhanced the FAST system by 

providing public access to several of the 75 live 

traffi c cameras via the RTC’s Web site. The cameras allow drivers to check road conditions before 

they leave their home or offi ce. On the road, drivers are assisted in their travels with 15 ramp meters, 20 dynamic message signs and the Freeway 

Motorists Assistance Service Patrol.

RTC has also expanded the South Strip Transit 

Terminal by adding 100 park and ride spaces – 

which have become especially popular with local 

residents using McCarran International Airport.

ES4 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

Legend

Transit Maintenance

Transit Center

New Interchange

Interchange Improvement

Bridge

Pedestrian Bridge

BRT Line

Carpool Lanes

Grade Separated Freeway

Other New Road

Major Improvement
Congestion management 

and mobility

Challenges facing the RTC

Southern Nevada continues to be one of the fastest growing urbanized areas in the country. This 

rapid population and employment growth poses 

obvious challenges for the RTC. 

A high density of residential development in all 

parts of the Las Vegas Valley and a high concentration of jobs in the resort corridor, combined with 

a limited network of freeways and dependence 

on arterial streets, has resulted in increased travel 

demand and traffi c congestion in the Las Vegas 

area. This puts pressure on the local transportation 

system.

Right-of-way is limited within the developed area 

to expand existing facilities or add new ones. And 

construction costs are rising faster than revenues, 

especially during this current economic slowdown.

The automobile remains the dominant form of 

transportation in the Las Vegas area with vehicular 

travel accounting for about 90 percent of all trips 

made on local roadways.

Each day in Clark County, more than 100 cars are 

added to the roadways. Total daily miles traveled 

on the roadway network has increased from 12 million in 1990 to more than 33 million miles in 2008. 

When visitor volumes are taken into consideration, 

the impact on the infrastructure is more challenging than many other metro areas. 

Visitor volumes, projected to be about 39 million 

in 2008, have grown every year except for 2001 

following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Auto 

traffi c coming from California on I-15 has increased 

37 percent over the last decade, from an average 

of 29,530 vehicles per day in 1996 to an average of 

40,383 vehicles per day in 2006. 

In light of the challenges posed by continued 

growth and tourism, one fact is evident: the state, 

the RTC and the local governments in Southern 

Nevada currently do not have the fi nancial resources needed to adequately provide for our 

future transportation needs.

Various options are being considered at both the 

federal and state level, including increases in fuel 

and other taxes, tolling, congestion pricing, an 

expanded role for the private sector. 

Currently, the RTC must plan based on the present 

system of funding, while keeping its options open 

for alternatives to transportation and other sources 

of funding.

Key approaches to addressing 

transportation challenges

The RTC has identifi ed four main approaches that 

will be key to addressing these challenges. 

First is to improve the operational effi ciency of existing roadways to improve capacity without major 

capital expense. The Freeway and Arterial System 

of Transportation (FAST) system is central to these 

improvements.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2009 - 2030 ES5
A second approach to addressing the challenges 

facing transportation in the Las Vegas Valley is to 

shift as many people as possible out of single-occupant vehicles by encouraging the use of carpools 

and vanpools and other measures collectively 

known as “Travel Demand Management” (TDM). 

TDM involves providing parking lots for transit riders, carpooling, vanpooling and promoting fl exible 

work schedules.

Third, the RTC is looking to improve transit options 

to provide attractive alternatives to the automobile. 

The RTC recognizes the need for improvements in 

the transit service that goes beyond fl eet renewal 

and maintenance of present operations.

To make transit more attractive to a wider range of 

people, the RTC must face two main challenges. 

First, the system has to be made faster – much 

faster – and even more reliable. Second, the experience of riding transit has to be improved.

Finally, the fourth way the RTC is addressing local 

transportation challenges is to make the environment friendlier for those on foot or riding bicycles, 

so that these transportation options become more 

attractive for people taking short trips. 

ES6 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

The coordinated traffi c signal timing that FAST creates, implements and keeps up to date on arterial 

streets keeps traffi c fl owing on all major travel corridors by minimizing unnecessary delays and stops. 

FAST, in conjunction with the Nevada Department 

of Transportation (NDOT) also includes an extensive 

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure 

on the region’s freeways, which include closedcircuit television cameras, dynamic message signs, 

non-intrusive video image detection, ramp meters, 

and a Highway Advisory Radio system. 

Improving operational effi ciency also includes 

access management, incident management and 

freight movement. Access management provides 

vehicular access to local developments in a manner that preserves the safety and effi ciency of the 

transportation system. 

Managing incidents such as construction projects, malfunctioning traffi c signals, special events, 

unusual weather or accidents is important to the 

fl ow of traffi c. What matters is how effectively the 

responsible agencies deal with the situation and, 

for the bigger incidents, how well the traveling 

public is informed of what has happened and how it 

may affect them.

Within Clark County, improving freight movement 

may be most effi ciently accomplished by improving 

and maintaining the existing transportation system. 

Of particular importance to freight will be investments in interstate highways, rail and airports that 

will reduce congestion.
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2009 - 2030 ES7

The RTC has a balanced planning approach relying 

on all modes of travel to improve regional mobility. 

Cycling has been identifi ed as an essential element 

in the suite of strategies to accommodate travel 

demand. The development and maintenance of 

pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks, is also important to mobility.

Other transportation issues the RTC is keeping 

in mind include safety, security, air quality, natural 

resources, cultural/historical resources, community 

impacts, and maintenance of the existing transportation infrastructure.

The RTC is aware of its responsibility to provide a 

sustainable transportation system. In promoting 

alternative transportation modes such as transit, 

walking and biking, local residents can help in reducing air pollution and single-occupancy car trips, 

improving health for adults and children.

Funding assumptions and 

investment strategy

Funding assumptions

The basic purpose of the RTP is to provide an investment strategy that represents the priorities of 

local and state transportation agencies for meeting regional goals based on reasonable assumptions of available resources

The Nevada Department of Transportation has assumed signifi cant new revenue sources at the state 

level, and that has enabled the RTC to identify 

several major expansion projects to local freeways.

However, the RTC believes that the responsible 

course is to base the RTP on a continuation of 

present revenue sources. The plan has not presumed new sources of revenue based on future 

actions of either the voters or the legislature.

Over the plan period from 2009 to 2030, the RTP 

investment strategy is projected to cost $16.1 billion in year-of-expenditure terms.

Revenues to support transportation investments 

come from a variety of public, tax-based sources, 

raised at either the local, state or federal level. 

These same sources typically also have to cover 

the operation and maintenance of the existing 

system. 

The RTC Streets and Highway Capital Improvement Program is funded through the Clark County 

gas tax. At a rate of nine cents per gallon, the gas 

tax currently yields $70 million a year. 
ES8 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

A local sales and use tax established in 1991, 

supplemented through Question 10 in 2001, and 

was dedicated to the operation of the public transit system. This funding yields about $130 million 

annually to support transit, paratransit operations 

and capital improvements. An additional $50 million is raised from transit fares.

Federal transit programs provide $25 million a year 

for capital investments, including the purchase 

and replacement of the vehicle fl eet.

The RTC is responsible for prioritizing projects 

under two federal programs. The urban element 

of the Surface Transportation Program (STP-Clark) 

provides $21 million a year and can be used for 

a wide range of transportation projects. The 

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program 

(CMAQ) provides $15 million a year for projects 

that have demonstrable air quality benefi ts.

RTC and the local entities have agreed to make 

use of revenue bonds secured against gas and 

sales tax revenues. This will enable a number of 

the more urgent projects to be completed during 

approximately the next fi ve years. After that time, 

there will be a lull in new activity until the bonds 

are paid off and new or additional funding is available.

Investment strategy

Given current fi nancial challenges and uncertainties about the future, RTC and local jurisdictions 

have focused on investing in future plans and 

programs that will make a big difference to the 

mobility of people and goods in the region. 

Due to changed projections about future costs 

and funding, several of the projects identifi ed in 

the previous RTP have not been carried forward 

but are instead identifi ed as unfunded needs.

The RTC knows that addressing congestion in the 

core of the region requires a mix of multi-modal 

and operational strategies.
Travel demand management

U.S. 95 is an attractive corridor for carpool lanes 

and express transit. The fi rst investment in carpool lanes in this region was made as part of the 

recently completed improvements on U.S. 95 west 

of downtown Las Vegas. 

The next priority for managing congestion is to 

build upon this investment, establishing a carpool 

lane network connecting the northwest suburban 

areas to downtown Las Vegas and the northern 

end of the Las Vegas Strip via I-15. This network 

includes dedicated High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) 

ramps between major routes, as well as direct access ramps to allow HOV traffi c to bypass congested freeway intersections. The northwest HOV 

network will be supported by park and ride lots at 

key locations.

The RTP identifi es these investment areas as:

◗ U.S.95 from Rainbow Boulevard 

to Durango Drive

◗ Summerlin Parkway from Rampart 

Boulevard to U.S.95

◗ Direct HOV ramps between Summerlin 

Parkway and U.S. 95

◗ Direct HOV ramps between U.S. 95 and I-15

◗ HOV-only access on U.S. 95 at Elkhorn Road

◗ HOV-only access on I-15 at Oakey Boulevard

Park and ride lots at:

◗ U.S. 95 and Durango Drive

◗ Westcliff Drive near Summerlin Parkway

◗ Las Vegas Blvd. and St. Rose Parkway

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2009 - 2030 ES9
ES10 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

Traffi c operational improvements 

and ITS technology

The most effective way of increasing the capacity 

of the system in congested areas is by optimizing 

traffi c signals. 

Eleven projects have been identifi ed for investment within the FAST system focusing on the 

regional freeway network, supplemented by the 

interconnection of signals on major arterial streets. 

These projects include: 

◗ I-15 North from the Spaghetti Bowl 

to Craig Road

◗ I-215 and Lake Mead Parkway from 

Green Valley Parkway to Boulder Highway

◗ Rancho Drive from Sahara Avenue 

to Rainbow Boulevard

◗ Durango Drive from CC 215 to 

Desert Inn Road

◗ Tropicana Avenue from Rainbow Boulevard 

to Las Vegas Boulevard

◗ I-515 from CC 215 to Charleston Boulevard

◗ I-15 from St. Rose Parkway to CC 215

◗ U.S. 93 from Boulder City to I-515 

◗ I-15 from the California state line 

to St. Rose Parkway 

◗ U.S. 95 from Durango Drive to 

Kyle Canyon Road

◗ I-15 from Craig Road to Apex

Investments in these corridors include new or 

upgraded fi ber optic communications, traffi c 

monitoring cameras, dynamic message signs, 

ramp metering at selected locations and electronic vehicle counting. FAST also plans to expand 

the coverage of traffi c monitoring cameras on the 

arterial system.
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2009 - 2030 ES11

Public transportation improvements

The RTP includes several capital expenditures 

related to the basic transit system:

◗ A new transit center to serve downtown 

Las Vegas

◗ Completion of the Sunset Maintenance Facility

◗ Replacement of buses as they reach the 

end of their service life

◗ Allowance for future rehabilitation of transit 

centers and maintenance facilities

To maintain federally mandated service standards, 

the fl eet of paratransit vans will have to be increased. The RTP includes replacement of paratransit vans as they reach the end of their service 

life, expansion of the fl eet and the addition of 

vehicles designed to meet the special needs of 

the senior population.

RTC also intends to build upon the success of its 

initial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line by adding bus 

lanes in several key corridors and by constructing stations and other amenities to extend BRT 

in mixed traffi c operations where dedicated lanes 

cannot be created. Funded investments include:

◗ ACE Downtown Connector rapid transit route 

in Downtown Las Vegas

◗ Enhancements to shelters on the 

Las Vegas Strip 

◗ ACE Boulder Highway rapid transit, partially 

indedicated lanes and partly in mixed traffi c

◗ Creation of dedicated lanes as part of the 

North Fifth Street project

◗ Provision of BRT stations on North Fifth Street 

and Las Vegas Boulevard South

RTC has recently decided that express transit 

offers the most effi cient and cost-effective way of 

making transit more competitive with auto travel 

in the Las Vegas area. Several project areas have 

been identifi ed in the RTP. 
ES12 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

In addition to the development of express service 

within the valley, there is a need for improved 

transit links between Las Vegas and some of the 

outlying communities. The RTP includes the development of express services that link the Las Vegas 

Valley with the outlying areas of Laughlin, Searchlight, Mesquite, Glendale and Logandale.

Additional system capacity 

I-15 between Southern California and Salt Lake 

City has been designated by federal authorities as 

a “Corridor of the Future.”

Plans for this I-15 corridor include widening the 

interstate within existing right-of-way, although 

NDOT estimates it will cost at least $2 billion to 

accomplish what is needed. Even with the enhanced revenues assumed by NDOT, it will be late 

in the plan period before many of the projects 

along I-15 can be implemented.

In addition to the I-15 projects, funded projects in 

the Las Vegas resort corridor are:

◗ Grade separation of Oakey Boulevard at the 

Union Pacifi c Railroad crossing

◗ CC 215 improvements at the airport 

connector interchange

◗ ACE Rapid Transit Downtown Connector

◗ Las Vegas Monorail extension to the airport

◗ A new downtown transit terminal at Bonneville 

Avenue and Casino Center Drive

◗ Express bus system development

◗ New pedestrian bridges over Las Vegas 

Boulevard at Sahara Avenue, and at the Echelon 

and Project CityCenter sites and over the 

railroad tracks in downtown Las Vegas

◗ Extension of Martin Luther King Boulevard 

across I-15 to connect with Industrial Road and 

widening of Industrial south to Sahara

◗ Grade separation at Valley View Boulevard 

and the railroad and roadway improvements to 

Harmon Avenue from Valley View to UNLV

◗ Grade separation of Tropicana Avenue at 

Dean Martin Drive and widening from Decatur 

Boulevard to I-15

◗ Construction of Sunset Road across I-15

◗ Construction of City Parkway to connect 

Grand Central Parkway with I-15 at D Street
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2009 - 2030 ES13

Summary of Regional Strategic Investments included in the 

2009-2030 Regional Transportation Plan

Total

Regional Strategic Investments $13.303 billion

Street and Highway improvements $11.261 billion

 I-15 from the CA State Line to Sloan Rd: widen to 8 lanes $200m

 I-15 from Sloan Rd to Tropicana Ave: Widen to 10 lanes 1043

 I-15 south: New interchanges 406

 I-15 resort corridor: Widen and add carpool lanes 878

 I-15 Project Neon 1080

 I-515 from College Dr to I-15: Widen to 10 lanes; new interchanges 3184

 US 93/US 95 from US 95 interchange to I-515 at Foothills: Construct 4-lane freeway 237

 US 95 from Rainbow Blvd to SR.157: Widen and add carpool lanes 463

 SR 160 Blue Diamond Rd from Decatur Blvd to Mountain Springs: Widening 125

 SR 564 Lake Mead Pkwy from Boulder Hwy to Lake Las Vegas: Widen to 6 lanes 41

 CC 215 Bruce Woodbury Beltway: Upgrade to full freeway 1209

 Ivanpah Airport access roads and interchanges 381 (A)

 Laughlin: Construct new bridge across the Colorado River 64

 Martin Luther King Blvd from Industrial Rd south of Oakey Blvd to north of Alta Dr: 

 Construct 6-lane roadway and overpass across I-15 750

 North 5th St from Owens Ave to CC 215: Construct 8-lane road with interchanges 287

 Oakey Blvd/ Wyoming Ave: Construct grade separation at UPRR 78

 Sheep Mtn Pkwy from CC 215 to US 95: Construct 4-lane road and interchanges 183

 Summerlin Pkwy from CC 215 to US 95: Widen to 8 lanes including carpool lanes 100

Tropicana Ave from Decatur Blvd to I-15: Widen and grade separate at Dean Martin Dr 169

 Other street and highway projects 382

ITS deployment and operational improvements $387 million

I-515 from I-215 to Charleston Blvd: FAST ITS deployment $22m

Regional freeway and arterial ITS system development 144

Intersection and signal improvements 47 

NDOT freeway service patrol and incident management 49

NDOT FAST system operations 125

Transit capital improvements, including Park-and-Ride $1.537 billion

Boulder Hwy: Bus Rapid Transit $72m

Las Vegas Monorail from McCarran Airport to MGM Grand: Extend Monorail 450 (M)

Las Vegas Blvd South: Bus Rapid Transit 13

North 5th St: Bus Rapid Transit 13

RTC Transit: system development 31

Park-and-Ride and transit center development 29

RTC Transit: bus and paratransit fl eet expansion and replacement 853

Other transit projects 77

Alternate mode, environmental and air quality improvements $118 million

RTC “Club Ride” Travel Demand Management program $36m

Emissions reduction projects 27

Bicycle facilities and pedestrian improvements 40

Other environmental improvement projects 16

Non-regionally signifi cant projects not listed in the RTP $2.261 billion

Total Transportation Capital Program, 2009-2030 $15.564 billion

(A) Funded by the Clark County Department of Aviation

(M) Funded by the Las Vegas Monorail Company