Gov. Sandoval signs bill to seek funds for Las Vegas light rail

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed legislation that enables the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) to seek funding for a potential 8.7-mile light-rail line in Las Vegas, local media reported late last week.

The line would connect McCarran International Airport to the city's downtown, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

RTC has until 2020's end to ask Clark County residents to raise sales taxes to pay for the light-rail line, which is expected to cost up to $705 million.

Although the agency doesn't have immediate plans to introduce a sales tax measure on local ballots, RTC will apply for federal grants and look for other sources to pay for the line, the Review-Journal reported.