LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — As construction on the Maryland Bus Rapid Transit Project continues, FOX5 is digging into how the RTC is working with businesses to limit negative impacts along Carson Avenue.
The current construction along Carson Avenue is only one phase of the $378 million project, which will change two lanes on Maryland Parkway to bus or bike lanes only, widen sidewalks and add 50 bus stops.
“This is going to benefit all users of the road, including pedestrians,” said Brij Gulati, the RTC’s director of capital projects.
Gulati said communication with businesses in the area is key. They first notify them before breaking ground and then provide additional details a couple of weeks before the project lands on their doorstep.
“We’re preparing them for impacts of construction, cones on the road, how their access is going to be impacted and how best we can work with them, whether they have the busy times during daytime, nighttime, what days are busy for them,” Gulati explained.
Jeromy Lee, project manager for Las Vegas Paving, who oversees construction activity on the roadway, said crews will adjust their work hours to better accommodate a certain business.
Keeping accessways open is key, he added. To do this, they work on sections of a business’s driveway at a time.
Keeping foot traffic flowing is also essential.
“We’ll maintain three operable corners so that even though there’s a pedestrian detour, there’s still a movement in all directions,” Lee explained.
Even with all of this work, Antonio Nunez, owner and operator of “The Parlour,” said they are still being hit hard.
The Parlour sits off of Carson Avenue and 7th Street. Nunez said crews completed construction on the sidewalk in front of his business about two weeks ago.
“I’d say we’ve lost about 40% of our business over the course of a year,” Nunez said. “Ubers won’t drop off here. People won’t come over here because sidewalks are torn up. There’s no parking.”
Gulati reminds the community that positive changes are on the way.
“What’s coming after the infrastructure, after the improvements are built, it’s going to be a much better community, it’s going to be a much better corridor for all users of the road,” he said.
FOX5 spoke with several restaurant owners and managers along Carson Avenue Tuesday morning. Although they acknowledged the construction has had an impact on their businesses, the majority said they have been well informed by RTC throughout construction.
You can learn more about the Maryland Bus Rapid Transit Project here.
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