By Greg Haas ▪
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — U.S. Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., has secured $1 million in federal funding to help build the Red Rock Legacy Trail, a long-needed project to take bike and pedestrian traffic off Charleston Boulevard as it climbs out of the valley to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
“This is such an important community project as we’ve seen — especially since COVID — the use of Red Rock and Calico Basin out to the Red Rock Loop has just been unprecedented,” Lee said at a news conference along State Route 159 — Charleston’s designation as it goes to Red Rock and around to Blue Diamond.
The $1 million will jumpstart construction on Phase 1 of the project, helping to build a paved trail from Summerlin out toward Red Rock, according to Justin Hopkins, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Transportation. Four more phases still need funding to continue the trail.
The funding will also help lengthen and widen lanes to prevent accidents on State Route 159 near the canyon.
“We have seen deaths along this road. Getting a designated biking/walking trail is so incredibly important,” Lee said.
In 2005, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Don Albietz was struck and killed by a hit and run driver while riding his bike in Red Rock Canyon.
“It’s a paved asphalt trail that is going to accommodate cyclists, joggers, walkers, and strollers. It can accommodate anybody, and we think that’s great because you’re not going to be on the road with traffic and you’re not going to be on the side of the road where you might run into some mobility issues. Currently, cyclists and joggers have to contend with the traffic and that can be particularly dangerous,” Hopkins said.
“With this new $1 million investment, we’re one step closer to completing the Red Rock Legacy Trail which will take bikers and pedestrians off the roadway and give them a safe place to enjoy our world class public lands,” Lee said.
