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In business tourism Consultant: Road, highway issues could become a problem for Las Vegas By Richard N. Velotta senior staff writer Traffic is getting worse in the resort corridor, and unless some of Southern Nevada's road and highway problems are solved soon, tourists will start looking elsewhere for weekend getaways, a Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority transportation consultant warned. Tom Skancke, president of the Skancke Co., told LVCVA board members this month that solutions will be politically unpopular, but unless issues are addressed, area streets and highways will become frequently gridlocked. "Transportation projects are not popular until they're done," he said. Surface streets most severely affected by traffic are Las Vegas and Charleston boulevards; Flamingo, Desert Inn and Paradise roads; and I-15. Skancke made the report to the board, but the problem solvers would have to be the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Transportation, which have worked with the LVCVA when transportation issues have been raised. Traffic solutions could come in several forms, Skancke said: A light-rail system. "I think we're going to need light rail sooner rather than later," Skancke said. A system within the resort corridor could transport tourists as well as deliver Strip employees to their workplaces. An eastside freeway. Adding a new beltway link has been discussed over the years but deemed impractical because hundreds of homes would have to condemned and residents relocated. Skancke said an alternate travel route would relieve traffic in busy areas. Improvements to I-15. The RTC and NDOT have already begun work on the third phase of the $1.7 billion Project Neon, a planned upgrade around the Spaghetti Bowl intersection. There are plans for a new flyover bridge linking northbound U.S. 95 to southbound I-15 high occupancy vehicle lanes. I-15's Charleston Boulevard exit will be redesigned in anticipation of more traffic generated by the planned Resorts World Las Vegas project. Skancke praised the Clark County Commission for recently agreeing to raise and index fuel taxes, which would generate funds needed for projects. hospitality former pinnacle ceo takes over at palms Celebrating Law Firm Growth By Ed Komenda staff writer Strong Apart, Stronger Together The Palms has a new boss. Daniel Lee, the former chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment, has taken over the off-Strip resort as its new CEO. He replaces Joseph A. Magliarditi, who joined the Palms in June 2011 and recently resigned to pursue other business interests, according to Alex Acuna, the Palms' spokesman. "Our founder George Maloof and Joe (Magliarditi) built and improved this spectacular resort casino and put together a tremendous team of people who bring life to it every day," Lee said in a statement. "I look forward to continuing to building on the great legacy they have begun." Lee's most recent project was the development and sale of a casino currently under construction in Lake Charles, La. Earlier in his career, Lee was the chief financial officer of Mirage Resorts. | 28 October 2013 20131028_VI11_F.indd 11 | LEWIS ROCA ROTHGERBER Effective September 2013 Lewis and Roca has joined forces with Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons to become Lewis Roca Rothgerber. Effective September 2013, the combination creates one of the largest law firms in the Western U.S. with 250 lawyers across nine offices. The combined firm offers an enhanced and expanded range of services in litigation, real estate, energy and utilities, banking, insurance, intellectual property, gaming, and religious institutions. Because together we're stronger. Visit: www.LRRLaw.com/lewis-roca-rothgerber Effective September 2013 ALBUQUERQUE | CASPER | COLORADO SPRINGS | DENVER | LAS VEGAS | PHOENIX | RENO | SILICON VALLEY | TUCSON | LRRLAW.COM 11 10/23/13 4:31:32 PM