Nevada is the fastest growing state in the nation with about 6,000 new residents every month and millions of visitors every year. We must continue to invest in our transportation infrastructure to keep pace with this rapid growth and reduce traffic congestion, accidents, and pollution. This is why improving our transportation system is one of my top priorities. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have been working hard to bring federal funds to Nevada to build better roads, public transit, and airports.

Nevada's Airports

McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas posted its busiest year in 2005 with over 44.3 million arriving and departing passengers. It is vital that we make the necessary investments to keep Nevada's air transportation system safe and convenient. I have long been a supporter of the federal air traffic controller system, and I have worked hard to retain the best staff and the most modern equipment. I successfully fought a proposal to eliminate 150 security screeners from McCarran International Airport because this would have compromised security and undercut Nevada's tourism industry. I have since worked with the Transportation Security Administration to add screeners to help meet McCarran's future needs.

McCarran faces significant challenges in meeting the needs of southern Nevada's rapidly growing population. That is why I worked with local and state officials to shift helicopter traffic from McCarran to a proposed new heliport near Sloan by introducing legislation, which was recently adopted as an amendment to the 2006 transportation appropriations bill. The land is located just south of the Henderson city limits and east of Interstate 15. The location will provide long-term viability for helicopter tour operators, reduce noise for homeowners, and safeguard sensitive cultural resources and wildlife areas.

In this year's federal budget, I set aside $12.3 million for projects at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, including a terminal air-traffic control tower, a sound insulation program to protect nearby homes, and a second-floor concourse. I also secured $2.3 million for runway and taxiway improvements at the Reno Stead Airport. I have been working hard to obtain additional funding for the Elko and Carson City airports.

Highway Development

Our national highway system spans more than 555,000 lane miles, and is vital to our economy, defense, and mobility. We must protect this investment and ensure that our surface transportation system continues to serve our communities and businesses. Roads with potholes and congested interstates threaten safety, diminish our quality of life, and obstruct economic productivity. Nevada's rapid population growth and tourism industry make these challenges even more important, which is why I place a high priority on improving our transportation system.

In northern Nevada, I secured $25 million for the Interstate 580/ Interstate 80 extension from Reno to Carson City and $3 million for the US 395 lane widening. I directed an additional $2 million for the enhancement of the Carson City Bypass. These projects will help mitigate traffic congestion in the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area.

In southern Nevada, Interstate 15 from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is the second busiest long distance corridor in the United States carrying an estimated 10 million trips per year. This is why I secured $26.5 million for lane widening on Interstate 15 from US 95 to Apex Road and $25 million from Primm to Sloan.

I directed $50 million to the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, which will serve as a secure transportation route for goods and commodities. I also secured $26.5 million for the Hoover Dam Bypass in Boulder City, which will connect the Hoover Dam Bypass to existing US 93/95/I-515. When completed, this project will create a 4-lane highway between Las Vegas and the Arizona border.

Providing New Transit Options

Investing in our transit system will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, protect our environment, and give residents and visitors efficient and economical transportation options.

Our nation needs a world class rail system to relieve crowding on our highways and in our airports. I have long supported federal funding for Amtrak to modernize and continue operations. I secured funding to begin a study for a high-speed rail corridor between Las Vegas and Los Angeles similar to Amtrak's current high-speed corridor from Washington, DC to Boston.

I have been a strong supporter of the California-Nevada magnetic levitation (Maglev) train project and have secured millions for this project. Maglev, which is currently in the study stage, will allow riders to travel between Las Vegas and Los Angeles in an hour and a half--one-fourth the time of a car trip! In the 2005 transportation reauthorization bill, I secured $45 million to continue the planning, design, and construction of Maglev.

I secured $32 million for the proposed Las Vegas Valley Regional Fixed Guideway project in the 2005 transportation reauthorization bill. This light rail system will operate from Nevada State College in Henderson to the resort corridor and onto the proposed University of Nevada campus in North Las Vegas.

I also have worked hard to improve bus service throughout the state, including the Regional Transportation Commission's Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) program, which combines the quality of rail service with the economy and flexibility of a bus. I recently secured $4 million to expand clean, energy-efficient bus service on the Boulder Highway.

I also secured over $26 million in funds for improvements to the Reno, Carson City, and Sparks bus transit services, and additional funds for rural transit buses and facilities. Expanding and improving bus service throughout the state will reduce congestion and provide another vital transportation choice for senior citizens, students and other Nevadans who are unable or prefer not to drive.

Meeting Rural Nevada's Transportation Needs

As a native of Searchlight, I understand the transportation challenges facing smaller and rural communities. I have long been a supporter of rural transportation programs and have worked hard to secure increased funding for rural transportation, including millions of dollars for the Minden, Elko, and Ely airports.

In the 2005 transportation reauthorization bill, I secured nearly $48 million to support small urban and rural public transportation needs in Nevada. Over $8 million will be provided for the Airport Access intersection in Mesquite and an additional $21 million for a new Colorado River Bridge in Laughlin. Additional funding was provided for purchase of rural transit vehicles and construction of facilities to support Nevada rural transit programs.

After hearing about the need for new school buses in rural areas during a meeting with all of Nevada's 17 school superintendents, I re-introduced legislation to help rural counties buy new school buses. The Bus Utility and Safety in School Transportation Opportunity and Purchasing Act (BUS STOP) would authorizes a $50 million grant program to help rural local educational agencies pay up to 75 percent of the cost of new school buses.

Transportation Means Jobs

Investing in transportation infrastructure not only improves our quality of life - it also creates good jobs. For every billion dollars we invest in our surface transportation system, we create over 47,000 well-paid jobs. In the recently passed transportation reauthorization bill that I helped write and guide through Congress, I worked hard to bring these improvements and new jobs to Nevada.

I am pleased that Nevada will receive $1.3 billion over the next 5 years and more than $460 million in specific transportation projects, which will meet our transportation needs and substantially boost our economy. I also ensured a provision was included that will require the Department of Transportation to account for population growth in the new transit funding formula. As a result, Nevada's funding will increase 152 percent over the original 1998 Highway bill. In addition, this bill did not raise taxes and will not increase the deficit because the funds were set aside from previous federal fuel taxes.

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to secure transportation funding to help meet the diverse needs of our state's rapidly growing population.

Safety Programs

Nevada is the fastest growing state in the country, and our rapid growth has placed tremendous demands on our entire transportation system. We need to remember the old adage, "Safety First," and continue to make improvements that will keep our families safe whenever they travel.

I acquired $2.5 million in funds for the University Transportation Research Center at the University of Nevada campus in Las Vegas. This center focuses on researching safety and national security issues related to transportation of hazardous material. These funds will help safeguard our nation's communities against threats posed by the transportation of these dangerous materials.

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