61°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Bypass construction plan moves forward

The Interstate 11 loop project inched along a little further Tuesday, with the City Council voting to grant easements to the Regional Transportation Commission.

The council approved the commission’s request for easements to construct, maintain and operate phase two of the I-11 loop, also referred to as the Boulder City bypass.

The interlocal agreement provides immediate access to perform surveys, geotechnical work and other preconstruction activities.

Upon a 60-day notice, the agreement states the city will grant the commission a permanent easement for the roadway corridor.

After the completion of phase two construction, the agreement states that the commission will transfer the easements to the Nevada Transportation Department for ownership, operation and maintenance.

The agreement also states that the city will not allow any access from city property to I-11.

Phase two will extend from U.S. Highway 95, a mile south of the U.S. 93/95 intersection, around the southern and eastern perimeter of the town, and connect with U.S. Highway 93 east of the Hacienda Casino.

The entire length of the I-11 loop, including the shorter phase one, is 12 miles.

Boulder City has historically supported the efforts to see the construction of I-11, which would connect Las Vegas and Phoenix, and alleviate traffic congestion. Easements for phase one construction were granted previously.

However, the council expressed concerns with the phase two easements.

The Council’s first concern was the access across I-11 during the construction period.

Mayor Roger Tobler said he was concerned about being able to cross from the central residential part of town to the outer desert areas. He said he had heard similar concerns from members of the Boulder City Horsemen’s Association.

Councilman Duncan McCoy spoke up on behalf of local outdoor enthusiasts.

“It’s really important to the people who recreate out there,” he said. “We need to make sure access is preserved.”

The council motioned that wording be added to the agreement stating the transportation commission will use “the best efforts to maintain access during construction.”

“You don’t want people breaking down a fence,” Councilman Cam Walker said. “Let them know there is access to the other parts.”

The council also expressed concerns regarding signage that would be placed along the completed interstate. It requested that language be added to the agreement allowing Boulder City to agree on the signage before the project is turned over to the Transportation Department.

“That signage can be life and death for tourism in our community,” Walker said.

The Regional Transportation Commission decided to move forward with the development of the bypass when the Clark County Commission passed a fuel tax in September providing funding for most of the $280 million project.

It is expected the design-build contract will be awarded in fall 2014, and it will take as long as three years to complete construction.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Annika Huff turns tragedy into triumph

It’s been nearly a decade since 28-year-old Annika Huff found herself at just 93 pounds and clinging to life after just being sold from one sex trafficker, or pimp, to another.

To chip or not to chip is still the question

Boulder City’s leash law and the controversy over the potential for permitted pet breeding within city limits were not the only animal-oriented items on the city council’s agenda for last week’s meeting.

Vets home regains 5th star

The Southern Nevada State Veterans Home has gone through a rough few years that came to a head earlier this year when the facility lost its vaunted 5-star rating and got hit with a warning on their website advising of patient abuse.

Boulder City starts ‘Adopt-A-Streetscape’ program

The city of Boulder City maintains 92 miles of public roads – that includes both sides of the street and the medians as well. And, while the city’s streets and landscape crews do an exceptional job at maintenance and upkeep, the reality is that sometimes, it is hard to keep up that pristine appearance. Sadly, some people litter. Weeds grow quickly and wind can cause garbage and debris to fly away.

A Day at the Dam

Photos by Ron Eland

Full slate of events to kick off December

As December approaches, the calendar of holiday events is quickly filling up. So, it’s time to mark yours with a wide variety of festivities.

Council directs staff to draft new leash law

Three hours into a meeting that started with an hour of public comment exorciating the city council for current regulations regarding pet breeding and off-leash dogs, members voted to tie one of those issues up.

Governor honors veterans at SNSVH

More than 100 invited guests, veterans and elected officials turned out to Monday’s Veterans Day ceremony at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home.

3 to vie for city manager position

The process for choosing a permanent (hopefully, given recent history) city manager is about to take a big step forward as the city council will get a chance to publicly question three candidates in a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21.