Las Vegas Breaks Ground on Maryland Parkway BRT Project
Secretary Buttigieg was joined by RTC leadership and members of Nevada’s federal delegation to mark the beginning of construction on the $378 million project that will improve safety and enhance functionality along a 12.5-mile stretch of one of the most important corridors in Southern Nevada.
Funded in part by a nearly $150 million federal grant from the Federal Transportation Administration, the Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit project spans from the South Strip Transit Terminal to the Las Vegas Medical District near downtown Las Vegas.
Photo: RTC of Southern Nevada
3 min to read
U. S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg headlined a ceremonial groundbreaking hosted by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) for the Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Boulevard Mall.
Secretary Buttigieg was joined by RTC leadership and members of Nevada’s federal delegation to mark the beginning of construction on the $378 million project that will improve safety and enhance functionality along a 12.5-mile stretch of one of the most important corridors in Southern Nevada.
The project will expand transit service, enhance up to 50 transit shelters, develop seven miles of dedicated shared bus-bike lanes, widen sidewalks, signalize pedestrian crossings, install advanced traffic signal timing, improve lighting and landscaping, and employ hydrogen fuel cell electric buses.
The efforts will ultimately enhance safety and functionality for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
Maryland BRT’s Project
Via significant aesthetic enhancements, the project will create a greater sense of identity for Maryland Parkway, helping to expand redevelopment opportunities and attract future investment in the area.
Today, Maryland Parkway is home to 63,000 residents, more than 109,000 jobs, and carries approximately 35,000 vehicles and 9,000 transit riders daily, making it one of the most productive routes in the system, carrying more people per bus per hour than even the Las Vegas Strip.
Ad Loading...
“The benefits of the project are vast,” said RTC CEO MJ Maynard. “We are implementing a ‘complete streets’ design to enable safe use and support mobility for all users, whether they choose to walk, bike, drive, or take transit. We are enhancing Maryland Parkway for everyone who lives, works, and travels within the corridor.”
Expanded transit service will reduce wait times for transit riders; the use of 15 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses along Maryland Parkway will provide quieter rides and reduce pollution; 42 new and enhanced transit shelters will provide more shade, increasing comfort for waiting transit riders; wider sidewalks separated from car lanes will improve safety for pedestrians and access for mobility devices; shared bus-bike lanes will provide a larger space for cyclists while simultaneously improving traffic flow; and improved signal timing and additional turn lanes will enhance traffic capacity and flow.
The project will expand transit service, enhance up to 50 transit shelters, develop seven miles of dedicated shared bus-bike lanes, widen sidewalks, signalize pedestrian crossings, install advanced traffic signal timing, improve lighting and landscaping, and employ hydrogen fuel cell electric buses.
Photo: RTC of Southern Nevada
Community Impact
The project is expected to create 1,100 new jobs and engage 18 local and small businesses valuing $33 million in contracts.
Construction will be completed in phases and began earlier this month in three different parts of the corridor.
Completion of the entire project is anticipated by year end 2026.
Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.
The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.
The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.
San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.
The new mid-sized bus features a full flat-floor design, eight-inch curbside step-in height, and zero-entry rear ramp to improve passenger access and operational flexibility.
Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028
The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.
