Regent fears UNLV could become ‘university under the overpass’

Fri, Oct 19, 2018 (3:28 p.m.)

With one official fearing UNLV could become known as “the university under the overpass,” the school’s president and Nevada System of Higher Education regents aired concerns about how a proposed elevated expressway project could impact the university.

The proposed $77 million project features two sections of elevated roads over the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Swenson Street to alleviate wait times motorists encounter between McCarran International Airport and the Strip.

One section would lead motorists from Swenson Street onto Tropicana Avenue, heading west toward the Strip, and the other would lead them past the Thomas & Mack Center on Swenson Street, heading north, a common route for traffic headed toward the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The new option is a scaled-down version of Clark County’s original $200 million plan, which was scrapped in December after receiving mainly negative feedback from community partners and residents. It featured elevated expressways running along Koval Lane and Swenson Street to and from the airport.

UNLV acting President Marta Meana expressed reservations about the project, mainly citing traffic issues and the eyesore of the elevated roads near the Thomas & Mack Center.

“Unfortunately, the only parts that have survived (from the original plan) are parts that directly impact UNLV,” Meana said. “We are concerned about the impact of this proposal on the movement of student traffic for class attendance and for athletic events, as well as the visual branding and advertising impacts.”

Before-and-after renderings provided by the county show the arena would be completely blocked from certain vantage points. Views of a large digital billboard used to advertise sporting and entertainment events also would be seriously impacted.

Regent Trevor Hayes called the county’s plan “a slap in the face” to the university, one that would hinder the school’s growth plan, which 42 acres of land UNLV acquired for development in 2016.

“This would be an awful thing for UNLV to have to live with this as the face of UNLV to our community,” Hayes said. “This may be the only thing they (visitors) see at UNLV, is that we are the university under the overpass. It’s the county sticking their foot out and tripping us as we’re trying to grow, when we should be partners.”

Clark County Director of Public Works Denis Cederburg said traffic wait times in the area are projected to double by 2040 and that something needs to be done.

The only viable options are elevated expressways or much more expensive and complicated tunnels, which would cost an estimated $211 million.

At the request of Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisiolak, the project is being placed on hold until UNLV finishes a study on the impact it would have on the university. The findings are expected to be reviewed at an NSHE board meeting next month.

“We need to ensure that intersection improvements are functional and complementary to university operations, its students, faculty and fans, as well to its future growth,” Sisiolak said in a letter sent to Meana.

Back to top

SHARE