(Blue Diamond Road) Corridor Study - Regional Transportation ...

5. Alternative Development RTC SR-160 Corridor Study
One of the challenges in developing a transit plan for the Blue Diamond study area is the
automobile-based orientation of businesses and residential areas throughout the study area.
This prevailing development pattern contributes directly to the high private automobile
mode share and the traffic problems that now recur at several key locations along SR-160
and approaching arterials. Use of alternative modes of transportation are severely limited
by the absence of transit, pedestrian, and bicycling circulation systems that connect Blue
Diamond to the rest of the Valley. RTC is currently working with Clark County to address
these system gaps by amending the Mixed Used District (MUD) ordinance. For all the
potential alignments described in Exhibit 2-1, pedestrian supportive amenities are virtually
non-existent.
5.2 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECIFIC ALIGNMENTS
Based on a review of the study area, including geographic analysis and field review, a
number of potential alignments are identified as worthy of investigation for transit service
improvements. This discussion considers two types of alignments.
Radial alignments – generally demonstrate heavy travel demand since they connect
downtown Las Vegas with activity centers and residential neighborhoods.
Cross-town alignments – serve as connectors between suburban activity centers and
residential neighborhoods, and to connect radials with each other.
According to the Regional Transportation Plan for FY 2006-2030, Clark County is planning
major street improvements to all arterials and streets on the ½-mile grid over the next 25
years, with many of the improvements planned within the Blue Diamond study area to be
completed within the next five years. At a minimum, the major north-south arterials
presented in this section will be four to six lanes.
5-2