WASHINGTON, D.C. - Third District Congressman Jon Porter today announced that he has secured funding for a number of key Nevada projects.  The funding comes as part of the conference report on H.R. 3058, the “Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006,” which passed the House by a vote of 392-31.

“By securing funding that will help jumpstart new initiatives and projects, in addition to expanding and improving upon existing ones, Nevada communities and organizations can continue to provide the outstanding services that residents have come to expect,” said Porter.  “From providing for renovations to historic landmarks, to helping make our roads safer and less congested, these funds will go a long way toward keeping Nevada one of the most desirable places to live in the nation.”

Porter secured funding for the following projects:

• $3,000,000 for the Regional Fixed Guideway Project.  The proposed Project is envisioned as a high-capacity fixed guideway transit system located along an approximately 33-mile corridor linking the cities of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas with the Resort Corridor.
• $3,000,000 for a new air traffic control tower for Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport.  The new tower will be taller and have a larger cab than the existing structure, eliminating an existing blind spot and supporting more controller positions.
• $3,000,000 for the Second Phase of the St. Rose Parkway widening.
• $1,000,000 for the Cactus Avenue/I-15 Interchange project.  The interchange at Cactus Avenue is part of the overall effort to ease congestion and increase safety on I-15, while enhancing critical interstate travel.
• $1,000,000 for improvements at the freeway interchange of I-515 and I-215.  Improvements will include signs, lighting, landscaping and other beautification.
• $1,000,000 for the Boulder Highway Max Bus Rapid Transit System.  This project will be comprised of a bus rapid transit system operating along a 15-mile corridor with exclusive transit lanes, vehicles, stations, transit signal priority technology, passenger shelters, off-board fare collection, and civil infrastructure.
• $1,000,000 for the Hoover Dam Bypass—Boulder City Extension.
• $500,000 for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada Transit Maintenance Facility.  These funds will go toward the purchase of land, preliminary engineering, final engineering, design, site preparation, and construction of the new facility.
• $500,000 to the city of Henderson for implementation of the Downtown Investment Strategy, which calls for city improvements and building renovations.
• $500,000 for an adult day care center at the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Henderson.
• $500,000 to the city of Las Vegas for the renovation of the Old Post Office.  The funds will be used to ensure that the building envelope, including cladding and windows, are weather tight.  Existing leaks, loose glazing and sealant issues will also be addressed.
• $350,000 to the city of Las Vegas for improvements to the Harris Springs Ranch, which has been operated by WestCare for over 25 years.  The funds will be used for structural maintenance upgrades, making the buildings more accommodating to the clients’ individual needs.

The conference report now awaits action in the Senate, where it is expected to be voted on later today.

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