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Aug. 09, 2008
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LAS VEGAS BELTWAY: New vote on opening date sought

Maxfield says plan to delay use of Lake Mead interchange no longer makes sense

By FRANCIS McCABE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Chip Maxfield



Susan Brager

Responding to pleas from the public, two Clark County commissioners are calling for a vote to open the Las Vegas Beltway interchange with Lake Mead Boulevard.

Commissioners Chip Maxfield and Susan Brager are asking their fellow commissioners to support opening as soon as possible the $12.4 million interchange. The vote would take place at the board's Aug. 19 meeting.


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    • The interchange has been the focused rage of some valley residents after they learned in a Review-Journal article that the nearly completed structure would not be available to the public until at least 2010.

    Commission members had agreed to keep the structure closed to public use until development west of the interchange begins and the Beltway interchange with Summerlin Parkway is finished in two years.

    The commission agreed to this after a number of Sun City residents expressed concern that opening the interchange would increase traffic on Lake Mead and increase crime in the area.

    Maxfield and Brager said their decision to support opening the interchange came after an outcry from their constituents.

    Maxfield, who represents the area where the interchange is located, said in a written statement, "It's clear from the calls, letters and e-mails that I have received that the public thinks we need to open this interchange as soon as possible. I wasn't convinced that was the case two years ago when we held public hearings. Today, from a public policy perspective, I think it's the right decision."

    Maxfield admitted that letting the taxpayer funded project sit unused wasn't the best use of county resources.

    "The sooner we open this interchange, the better off the traveling public will be," he said.

    Brager agreed, adding that opening the interchange would benefit the valley's police and fire departments which could use the interchange to quickly respond to emergencies.

    Brager, who was not on the commission when it made the agreement with the Sun City community, said she first decided to contact Maxfield after reading in the Review-Journal that the interchange would be finished this summer but not opened for two years.

    It wasn't clear Friday whether the other commissioners would support the policy change.

    However, Brager said that because both she and Maxfield represent the west end of the valley and have a better understanding of the needs of the community there, the other commissioners probably would support opening the interchange.

    Bobby Shelton, spokesman for the Clark County public works department, said the interchange is about 98 percent complete.

    He said all that remains is running a power line to the traffic signals, which is work that if expedited, could be done within six weeks.

    Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.

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    Bob Cirelli wrote on August 10, 2008 06:44 AM: Follow the MONEY. If the county commission votes against the opening, someone made substantial contributions to their campaign warchests. We have the best local government money can buy.


    speedracer wrote on August 09, 2008 03:52 PM: I can't wait till this opens-I will drive as fast as possible by those idiots that bought homes with their backyards on top of lake mead-squeal tires and make as much noise as possible! I will also drive extra slow at nite with the bass on my stereo cranked to the max and thump way through this part of lake mead. (I encourage everyone else to do the same-and send a message) Once I reach rampart I'll go back to normal law abiding driving-because the rest of us that live around sun city believe in infrastructure and growth.Who are YOU sun city to dictate when MY city street should open? F@#K OFF!


    Angry Northwest Voter wrote on August 09, 2008 12:55 PM: Can you say RECALL? Any commissioner that votes against this on the 19th will have a big problem! We are all watching commissioners-we voting residents dare you to vote no and delay the opening! Watch what happens!


    Angry Northwest Voter wrote on August 09, 2008 12:51 PM: Can you say RECALL? Any commissioner that votes against this on the 19th will have a big problem! We are all watching commissioners-we voting residents dare you to vote no and delay the opening! Watch what happens if you do! Sun City residents do not speak for the other thousands and thousands of residents in the northwest.If they don't like growth-move out to pahrump!


    Michael wrote on August 09, 2008 12:45 PM: Where is Larry Brown on this? Why hasn't he chimed in and supported the opening? He is running to replace Chip Maxfields seat this year. As a resident in this commission district Larry Brown-if I don't hear your support-you don't get my vote-period!


    abe s. wrote on August 09, 2008 12:45 PM: I applaud the commission for calling for the vote! As a resident in the northwest-we need this open ASAP! This bridge was delayed back in lance malone days-that was then this is now! Sorry Sun City-times change!


    John W. Zuzich wrote on August 09, 2008 12:33 PM: Believe the reported "focused rage" and "pleas" requesting early openning of the Lake Mead Blvd/Beltway interchange originate with the investors and strip mall businesses that line the boulevard at the foot of the long, steep grade leading to the interchange.

    The County Commissioners, Maxfield and Brager, are responding to these business interests rather than to the well being of the area's residents.

    The interchange is a big, costly mistake. A crossover bridge would have been more appropriate and much cheaper.


    Summerlin Resident wrote on August 09, 2008 12:13 PM: Only one-half of Sun City's (not really part of Summerlin though they use the name) 7500 homes are occupied year-round. The other half are snow birds that fly away for the entire summer. Open the darn taxpayer funded interchange for the rest of us, please.


    John wrote on August 09, 2008 08:20 AM: If you want a private community, don't ask for public money to pay for your roads, traffic signals and general maintenance. Until sun city residents return all the tax money that was spent on their roads, lighting, and traffic enforcement on their "private" streets, they have no right to complain. Public streets should be open to the public!


    Tom Brodie wrote on August 09, 2008 07:41 AM: To Clark County Commission:
    I urge you NOT to open the Lake Mead Blvd interchange until neighboring interchanges are completed. lake Mead Blvd at its western extremity is too narrow and close to Sun City residences without such traffic balance.


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