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$1 Million in Federal Stimulus Money to be used for repaving Hillside Drive and Hafen Lane

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

MESQUITE, NV (CITY HALL)— Using $1 million in Federal Stimulus money for public works projects, the City of Mesquite will repave Hillside Drive (from Sandhill Boulevard to the Arizona state line), and Hafen Lane (from approximately Abbott Wash to Town Wash). In addition to repaving streets, the City will improve handicap ramps and residential driveways on Hillside Drive and Hafen Lane to bring them into ADA compliance.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), was signed into law by Pres. Barrack Obama last February 17. The ARRA was enacted to create and save jobs through projects funded at the state and local level. According to Recovery.gov website, It is estimated that approximately 34,000 jobs will be created or saved in the next two years in Nevada through this program.

While funding from the ARRA is being provided to numerous different agencies, the Act is providing approximately $201 million in Nevada highway transportation funding. Thirty percent of that funding is dedicated to local transportation organizations in Clark County and Washoe County and approximately $7 million was allocated to rural areas.

“Mesquite is fortunate to receive $1 million for this project,” said Bill Tanner, public works director. “To ensure that Nevada maximizes use of economic recovery transportation funds, preservation projects such as repaving were selected because they provide a high benefit-cost ratio.”

This project was advertised for 30 days starting on September 14 and the bid opening is scheduled for October 22 and the award announced in November. Construction is expected to start just after Thanksgiving.

“Once the project is underway, there will be signs posted at each location clearly referencing that this is a project being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,”said Tanner.

A website was created in order to provide transparency and accountability on the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. To check on stimulus projects nationwide go to www.recovery.gov and Nevada stimulus projects at www.nevadadot.com/projects/Stimulus.

Media Contact: Bill Tanner, Public Works Director (702) 346-5237 or btanner@mesquitenv.gov

The Desert Tortoise

Like many desert creatures, desert tortoises spend most of their lives "holed up." In spring and summer, they roam grazing on grasses and wildflowers, then head for their burrows when it gets too hot. In fall and winter, when it is cold and there is not much to eat, they stay burrowed in for six months or more at a time.

If you see a desert tortoise, you are seeing an endangered species. Please watch out for them on the roads. Tortoises live in washes and valleys where the soil is soft enough for them to burrow into, yet stable enough so they do not collapse. Remember, desert tortoises are protected under the Endangered Species Act and may not be handled or removed.

Golf in the Desert

The city of Mesquite combines calm, small-town flavour with big-city attractions and championship golf. The Palms and the Oasis Golf Clubs are only two of the half-dozen challenging courses in the area.

Golf Highlights in Mesquite

Golf built on the dramatic Virgin Foothills of Nevada makes for a unique landscape and golf setting.
Enjoy a spa treatment at the Spa at Casablanca or the Spa at the Oasis.
Mesquite serves as a gateway to the national parks of Southern Utah and Zion National Park, which is less than two hours away.

View more information about golf courses in Mesquite

The Speedy RoadRunner

Called paisano in Mexico, the roadrunner is a well-known desert resident that only superficially resembles its popular cartoon portrayal. The greater roadrunner has adapted to life on the run. Though it can fly well, it prefers to use its strong legs and X- shaped toes to run rapidly over the desert landscape. Active predators, roadrunners aggressively chase insects, lizards, snakes, small birds and mammals.

Tolerant of humans, they sometimes nest in protected eaves and garages when they are not building large stick nests in desert trees. Their vocalizations include bill clicking noises and a mournful cooing made during breeding seasons. They do not meep-meep.