Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to award $5,319,838 of the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant funding to the City of Las Vegas and the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada. The grant will support Southern Nevada’s advancements in autonomous vehicle (AV) utilization and fund the GoMed project, which will connect passengers from Downtown Las Vegas to the Las Vegas Medical District.
“Southern Nevada has demonstrated the potential of innovative technology to positively impact our communities and improve Nevadans’ way of life,” said Cortez Masto. “The RTC of Southern Nevada and the City of Las Vegas are advancing the use of automated technology to enhance services, improve public transportation and meet the needs of Southern Nevadans. The GoMed project will take us a step further by making it easier for Nevadans to reach their doctors and health care facilities. This cutting-edge program will boost the Innovation State’s leadership in emerging technologies and in building smart communities. I’m thrilled to have fought to ensure that Las Vegas received this critical funding and I applaud the Department of Transportation for supporting Southern Nevada’s bid.”
“We are thrilled to be a recipient of this forward-thinking grant that will help accelerate mobility and advanced technology in Southern Nevada,” said RTC General Manager Tina Quigley. “We embrace innovative technologies that enhance safety and the quality of life for our residents. This project will provide us with data to better connect our residents to employment, education, healthcare and other vital services. This is a remarkable opportunity for the RTC and the City of Las Vegas to continue our momentum of building the foundation for a smart community.”
BACKGROUND:
Cortez Masto wrote to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in July in strong support of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada’s BUILD grant application. She has fought for Nevada’s leadership in technological development through her Innovation State Initiative, a series of bills that support, strengthen, and promote Nevada’s leadership in technology.
###