Titus Amendments to Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act Benefit Southern Nevada Economy

Washington , DC – Today the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed H.R. 3763, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015. Numerous provisions and amendments sponsored by Congresswoman Titus were included in the bill that passed with unanimous support. These include:

• Interstate-11 – H.R. 3763 includes language submitted by Congresswoman Titus, the Nevada Chair of the I-11 Caucus, to extend the authorization of this critical interstate project beyond the current parameters of Las Vegas to Phoenix to reach north to I-80 and to interstates south of Tucson.  The legislation also authorizes a new funding program which could help fund I-11 called the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects program.
• Travel and Tourism – H.R. 3763 includes language submitted by Congresswoman Titus to ensure that state and local tourism agencies like the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority are part of the consultation process of Metropolitan Planning Organizations such as the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. An amendment offered by Congresswoman Titus to ensure state and local communities select projects and strategies that “enhance travel and tourism” was also approved by the Committee with unanimous support.
• Complete Streets – An amendment from Congresswoman Titus to enhance state and local planning processes to account for the transportation needs for drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists was included as part of the Manager’s Amendment. “Complete Streets” planning processes have been adopted by more than 70 municipalities including the RTC of Southern Nevada. The goal is to ensure that projects are developed in a way to promote the safety of all users. For years, our transportation policy has concentrated on reducing vehicle accidents, while ignoring the safety of non-motorized users. Pedestrian fatalities are increasing both in number and percentage of overall fatalities. In fact, in 2013, a pedestrian was killed every 2 hours and injured every 8 minutes.

“The surface transportation bill is vital to the economic development of the Las Vegas Valley,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “I am pleased that my proposals and amendments were included. These provisions touch on many critical areas of concern for our region, ranging from pedestrian safety to planning for increased tourism. As this legislation moves forward, I will continue to advocate for Southern Nevada’s needs.”

The Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act is a six-year authorization bill setting policies for the nation’s federal highway, transit, and highway safety programs.

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