FTA awards $149.9 million in CIG funding to RTC of Southern Nevada to support BRT project

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada has been awarded $149.9 million in funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grant program to support the construction of Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The service will provide a faster, more frequent bus route along the Maryland Parkway Line between downtown Las Vegas, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Harry Reid International Airport and other popular destinations in the state of Nevada. The grant for the 378.1 million Maryland Parkway Line was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

“The Biden administration is proud to give Las Vegas residents and visitors faster, cleaner, more reliable bus service along 12 miles of Maryland Parkway,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal priority and new hydrogen-powered buses, this project will deliver a cleaner, better, faster commute.” 

The 12.5-mile Maryland Parkway route will be served by 15 hydrogen fuel cell-powered, 60-foot articulated buses. BRT service will replace traditional bus lines and connect to Harry Reid International Airport, the sixth busiest airport in the nation and one of the largest employers in the state. In addition, it will link riders with 25 other bus routes via the Bonneville Transit Center and the South Strip Transit Terminal.  

The buses will run in 7.2 miles of dedicated lanes and receive traffic signal priority while in mixed-flow traffic, reducing transit time for riders. RTC of Southern Nevada estimates the new BRT service will decrease travel time for riders by about 20 percent compared to the current, traditional bus route that takes more than an hour to run 20 miles, saving valuable time for more than 80,000 workers employed in the area. 

“While Las Vegas is normally thought of as a tourist mecca, we know that thousands of Nevadans depend on transit to move them around this growing, thriving city,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “The faster, more reliable, more convenient service provided by bus rapid transit has created an economic boost for communities across the country. We know it will bring that same impact to workers, students and others who call Las Vegas home.” 

The project also includes shared bus-bike lanes, wider sidewalks and improvements to lighting and landscaping.  

“Home to 90,000 residents, 85,000 jobs and 9,000 daily transit riders, Maryland Parkway has long been on our radar for a capital improvement project of significance,” said M.J. Maynard, RTC of Southern Nevada CEO. “Maryland Parkway’s value as a major corridor that connects residents to jobs, education, medical services, shopping and neighborhood services cannot be overstated.” 

The project is expected to break ground later this summer and be complete in 2026.