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Some Wonder If Galleria Exit Worth Cost
Mayor Says Interchange Will Drive Traffic To Shopping Areas
POSTED: 3:20 pm PST November 3,
2009
UPDATED: 7:43 pm PST November 3,
2009
HENDERSON, Nev. -- The interchange near the Galleria at Sunset is expected to ease congestion near the mall and Sunset Station Casino, but some are wondering if it was worth the $66 million investment.Video: 
Galleria Interchange Opens WednesdaySome said it will speed the flow of traffic and direct more people to the mall and restaurants to spend money.“A little bit of fanfare, we think that’s fun," said Jacob Snow, of the Regional Transportation Commission.On Tuesday, there was a lot of pomp and circumstance for the opening of an exit.Video: New Interchange To Bring Relief Near Galleria Mall“This has always been a goal of how much traffic because of the mall and the shopping area and of course, the casino, so very heavy traffic. So, it was very timely to get this done," said city of Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen.The Galleria Drive interchange is expected to ease congestion on Russell and Sunset roads, but some are wondering if that congestion was ever really a problem.“It gets busy around 5 p.m.,” said driver Terry Bradshaw.“Nothing, I never hit traffic at all,” said motorist Denise Drost.“They should answer that question when they try to do their holiday shopping, and I think this year, they'll say, ‘Maybe that was a pretty good investment,’” Snow said.The $66 million project was built over the past 18 months.“The money came from two sources -- all local. This is your money, your road,” Snow said. “Those sources were voter-approved taxes on sales and gasoline.”“It takes money to make money, and if were going to continue to operate a mall such as this and try to drive traffic in, we’re going to have to make some sort of an investment,” Jim Addison, owner of Dairy Queen Franchises in the Galleria said. “Local vendors say it’s just what the area needs to survive the economic slump."“I'm hoping people will realize there's a mall here and come do some shopping,” Addison said.The mayor echoed that sentiment. The area is really is the hub of Henderson, between all the businesses, the casino and the auto mall, and residents have a vested interest in seeing it thrive.The interchange officially opens to traffic Wednesday morning. RTC officials expect 47,000 cars to pass through the interchange each day.
Galleria Interchange Opens WednesdaySome said it will speed the flow of traffic and direct more people to the mall and restaurants to spend money.“A little bit of fanfare, we think that’s fun," said Jacob Snow, of the Regional Transportation Commission.On Tuesday, there was a lot of pomp and circumstance for the opening of an exit.Video: New Interchange To Bring Relief Near Galleria Mall“This has always been a goal of how much traffic because of the mall and the shopping area and of course, the casino, so very heavy traffic. So, it was very timely to get this done," said city of Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen.The Galleria Drive interchange is expected to ease congestion on Russell and Sunset roads, but some are wondering if that congestion was ever really a problem.“It gets busy around 5 p.m.,” said driver Terry Bradshaw.“Nothing, I never hit traffic at all,” said motorist Denise Drost.“They should answer that question when they try to do their holiday shopping, and I think this year, they'll say, ‘Maybe that was a pretty good investment,’” Snow said.The $66 million project was built over the past 18 months.“The money came from two sources -- all local. This is your money, your road,” Snow said. “Those sources were voter-approved taxes on sales and gasoline.”“It takes money to make money, and if were going to continue to operate a mall such as this and try to drive traffic in, we’re going to have to make some sort of an investment,” Jim Addison, owner of Dairy Queen Franchises in the Galleria said. “Local vendors say it’s just what the area needs to survive the economic slump."“I'm hoping people will realize there's a mall here and come do some shopping,” Addison said.The mayor echoed that sentiment. The area is really is the hub of Henderson, between all the businesses, the casino and the auto mall, and residents have a vested interest in seeing it thrive.The interchange officially opens to traffic Wednesday morning. RTC officials expect 47,000 cars to pass through the interchange each day.
Previous Stories:
- November 3, 2009: Fanfare To Accompany Interchange Opening
- November 2, 2009: Celebration To Mark New Interchange Opening
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