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-News Articles/Editorials/Letters to the Editor-
1/27/2001
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Nevada's Department of Transportation director said Friday the Carson City bypass project is on schedule and will stay that way unless something drastic and unforeseen happens. "Phase 1B goes to bid next spring," said Tom Stephens, following presentation of his budget overview to the Legislature. "That's the current program and that's the current funding scenario." Stephens said during his testimony the department is speeding up construction of its "super projects," including the bypass, by selling $600 million in bonds over the next five years. He said they would be delayed only if federal funds don't increase as projected. Even then, he said, nothing on the list of major projects gets canceled. "If money didn't materialize, they would have to be delayed. We don't issue contracts and we don't sell bonds until we know the money is there." He said he doesn't think that's going to be a problem. "In fact, I think we may be underestimating the federal dollars in the current biennium," he said. But members of the legislative committees reviewing his budget said their concern was that he is spending money too fast. "Down the road, it looks like you're going to be spending more than you're bringing in," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas. "Absolutely," said Stephens. "That's why we're selling bonds." Lawmakers two years ago urged that those super projects - I-15 and U.S. 95 in Las Vegas, Hoover Dam bridge and road, I-580 out of Reno and the Carson bypass - be speeded up. They also wanted numerous smaller projects including maintenance, repairs and road widenings expedited to handle growth especially in southern Nevada. Stephens said his department has "spent a lot of money," lowering the Highway Trust Fund from $260 million to $199 million. Projects proposed for the coming two years, he said, will take it down to $104 million. But that includes more than $400 million in 2001 and nearly $450 million in 2002. Arberry and Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, said they were concerned the state may be overspending and should consider being a bit more conservative. "That's a policy issue that we can address," Stephens said. "But if you want the balance $100 million higher, that's $100 million in projects we'd have to delay." The benefit of his proposed budget, he said, is that the projects get done sooner to meet the needs of a growing population. The other side of the coin, he said, is that spending has to slow by the end of this decade. Bond payments, he said, will become a bigger piece of the budget, reaching $75 million a year before leveling off. He said after the meeting he doubts money will be a problem for the Carson bypass. "The uncertainty is not the money unless the Legislature drastically reduces the program," he said. "It's the acquisition of the right of way in a timely manner." Stephens said the biggest piece of land still needed for the southern half of the bypass is the Lompa Ranch. But, he emphasized, he can't make guarantees because something like a recession could slow all projects down. Stephens will present details of his $1.3 billion proposed budget and the projects slated for construction in the coming two years at a future meeting of the money committee. |
