While Las Vegas may seem like it’s just a city filled with freeways, local officials have been busy generating new transportation initiatives. These new innovations in transportation not only improve commute times but also make walkers and bikers more comfortable on the busy streets that need improvement. From bike-share programs to light rails, Las Vegas is beginning the long road towards an increased range of transportation options for commuters who hope for either less congested freeways or options that don’t include driving. Whether you live in Henderson or Las Vegas, take the bus or drive to work, these transportation improvements are set to help commuters traverse the city with ease. Here are five Las Vegas neighborhoods leading the way in transportation innovation in 2018.

Downtown and Arts District

Downtown Container Park photo courtesy of Tomás Del Coro

Recently, city planners used heat mapping technology to determine which neighborhoods see the most significant heat waves in the summer. Because master-planned communities have used more landscaping and different materials, they don’t show the same high heat levels as Downtown and the Arts District, whose sidewalks and buildings refract the sun and make tourists and locals feel the heat. This is why city planners have started to develop heat-alleviating sidewalks and increased the number of colonnades and galleries over urban sidewalks that see blistering heat during the summer. Downtown is also becoming more bike-friendly with bike-sharing initiatives from RTC that are making it easier for locals to rent bicycles at over 21 locations around downtown.

Paradise

Photo courtesy of Valley Metro

Although this travel innovation is still in the works, the $750 million, 8.7-mile light rail set to run along Maryland Parkway by 2025 would not only reduce traffic but also bring economic growth to the area by allowing commuters to get to work more easily, reducing environmental impacts, and creating jobs. The transportation commission is also considering bus rapid transit lanes and a freeway improvement project in Paradise, although the light rail is a strong contender. 

Inspirada

Photo courtesy of Inspirada

Although the trajectory of the transportation system in Henderson was unclear when developers were building much of Inspirada, they still built public transportation platforms into the community to allow residents more transportation options besides driving. While buses don’t currently make stops in the area, the platforms will make it possible for the community to have an easy transition to public transportation in the near future. The community also has easy access to five freeways, including the I-15 and I-215. The new interchange on Starr Avenue will also go a long way in alleviating traffic concerns for commuters. 

Cadence

Photo courtesy of Cadence

Although the bike-share initiative at Cadence is only open to its residents, the innovative program is leading the way for master-planned communities in both Henderson and Las Vegas. Residents can download an app that lets them check out bikes at their convenience to explore the 30-acre trail system and 450 acres of open space throughout the community. Transportation leaders are looking to this program as an innovative solution that goes beyond commuter traffic and lets residents engage with the landscape. Similar efforts are also being put in place in other master-planned communities throughout the Valley.

Henderson

Rendering courtesy of Nevada Department of Transportation

Henderson will now have greater access to Boulder City, the town just outside Las Vegas with a wild west feel, which is near the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. A two-and-a-half-mile segment of the freeway just opened, easing up traffic for commuters and tourists alike who frequently travel to both Boulder City and Phoenix. The next phase will include a 12.5-mile segment that opens later in 2018. Both of these segments will connect Las Vegas and Phoenix.