Boulder City bypass land dispute expected to be less costly
CARSON CITY — An eminent domain dispute over land needed for the Boulder City bypass is expected to be finalized by state officials next week for $4.6 million, far less than the last $33 million offer from the landowner.
The settlement amount for three acres of the Jericho Heights property in Henderson will be considered by the state Board of Examiners when it meets Tuesday.
The owner had at one time valued the land at more than $100 million.
The state initially valued the three acres at less than $1 million.
The state needs the parcel for the first phase of the bypass project to Railroad Pass.
Work on the bypass is on hold while a company tests for naturally occurring asbestos identified in a University of Nevada, Las Vegas study as being in the construction zone. The firm Tetra Tech received a $500,000 contract to perform the testing, which is expected to be completed in August.
If asbestos is an issue then any construction activity will have to comply with appropriate air quality controls.
The Boulder City bypass is a priority for state officials. Phase 1 has an estimated completion date of late 2017 to early 2018 and is under the control of the state Transportation Department. The second phase would run south of Boulder City and east to the Hoover Dam bypass bridge and is being overseen by the Regional Transportation Commission. Total project costs are expected to top $600 million.
Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.
