The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), UNLV, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus today celebrated a March Madness-themed groundbreaking for a new transit center on the UNLV campus.

Scheduled to open in August, the 6,460-square-foot facility is located on the corner of Maryland Parkway and University Road, within walking distance of the Thomas & Mack Center, Cox Pavilion, and numerous university academic and administrative buildings. The open-air facility will include a large number of bike racks and an outdoor waiting area with shelter canopies.

"Southern Nevada needs a modern infrastructure and transit system that enables long-term growth. This new project will become a major hub that will support UNLV students and staff, and those in the surrounding community," said Sen. Reid. "I am pleased to have worked with RTC of Southern Nevada and other stakeholders to help make this project a reality. It will be another important step in our state's growth and it will serve the community for years to come."

The new transit center will significantly improve connectivity to public transit at UNLV and within the surrounding community. The Centennial Express will serve the UNLV Transit Center and provide a direct link to the RTC's main transit hub, the Bonneville Transit Center in downtown Las Vegas, where riders can connect to other routes serving destinations across the valley.

"It is important as our university plans for its next decade of growth that we look for alternative ways for students, faculty, staff and visitors to access our campus," said UNLV President Neal Smatresk. "The transit center is good for commuting students and staff, but also opens up opportunities for visitors to cultural and athletic events."

Renderings of the new facility were unveiled at the future site of the UNLV Transit Center during the groundbreaking event, which was transformed into an outdoor basketball court with bleacher seating, popcorn and thunder sticks for the event.

"This project epitomizes the RTC's commitment to community partnerships," said RTC General Manager Tina Quigley. "Having the ability to work with UNLV on a project that will encourage the use of public transit to and from the campus, and hopefully alleviate some of the area's parking needs, is something we are incredibly passionate about at the RTC."

The UNLV Transit Center will cost $3.45 million - 80 percent of which is federally funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Initiative Grant, with the rest through a local match by the RTC.

About RTC

The RTC is the transit authority, transportation planning agency and regional traffic management agency for Southern Nevada. The RTC's vision is to provide a safe, convenient and effective regional transportation system that enhances mobility and air quality for citizens and visitors. The RTC encourages residents and visitors to use alternate commute modes to help reduce traffic congestion, clean the air and improve the quality of life in Southern Nevada.

RTC transit service carried more than 60 million passengers last year and is one of the most efficient transit systems in the nation. For more information on the RTC, visit rtcsnv.com or use your mobile device to access the RTC's Ride Tracker, a GPS-based, mobile website that enables transit riders to easily see when buses are due to arrive.