Update

Nevada lawmaker joins efforts to close gap on major road

By Michael Lopardi

CREATED Feb. 25, 2013

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  • A Nevada lawmaker is joining the effort to fix the gap in an unfinished road that has frustrated homeowners and drivers in the southwest part of the Valley. Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- A Nevada lawmaker is joining the effort to fix the gap in an unfinished road that has frustrated homeowners and drivers in the southwest part of the Valley.
 
Assemblyman James Healey contacted Action News days after our first story aired in January to say he wanted to make closing the gap on South Rainbow Boulevard near the Mountain's Edge communities a priority.
 
"Right now, there is no access to get over to either side of the community without driving all the way around," Healey said.
 
The gap on Rainbow extends from Mountain's Edge Parkway south to West Erie Avenue.
 
"I mean, come on. It's a small piece of road," said nearby homeowner Bill Golleher. "We all pay our taxes. Why not just get it on, get it done and put some guys to work."
 
Neighbors turned to Action News concerned about access to their homes. Without Rainbow completed, Buffalo Drive is the only major road in and out of the community.
 
Driver Carol Marshall said she is concerned about the limited access in cases of an emergency. Healey said he's concerned that businesses may be reluctant to relocate to the area because of navigation headaches. The lawmaker hopes his involvement will help speed up the process.
 
"With us being a strong voice for our community, we're helping those agencies understand the importance of these projects to our community which allows us to be moved up on the priority list," Healey said.
 
Clark County and the developer are set to close the gap in a joint effort.

Healey told visitors at a community meeting on Saturday that he learned the county has already started the design phase of its $3.2 million portion, and work could begin by the end of the year.

The developer told Action News it could begin work on its part of the project by the end of the year. The county's portion is expected to take nine months to complete, with the developer's work commencing immediately after, according to the developer.
 
"I've been here for seven years and they've been promising it for seven," said Marshall. "Enough with the promises, let's get it done."
 
Healey said he also learned that a new bridge to close a separate gap in Cactus Avenue is in the works and work could wrap up in about two years.