March 9, 2007
Contact: Meg Mincolla
Phone: (775) 888-7172
Wireless Internet Now at Select State Welcome and Rest Centers
Nevada motorists can now log on to vital road and travel information with new wireless Internet access provided free of charge by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) at the Primm, West Wendover and Mesquite state welcome centers and Wadsworth rest stop.
Available 24 hours, users simply log on from their wireless-capable device such as PDA or laptop computer while parked within 1,000 feet of the centers. After establishing a free sign-on, a homepage links to NDOT’s nevadadot.com Web site and other important travel sites. Use is free for the first 30 minutes and extendable 30-minute sessions can be purchased. The system includes access filters to block prohibited sites and prevent misuse.
The locations on Nevada’s major Interstate 80 and Interstate15 thoroughfares provide vital travel information to visitors and trucks entering the state’s foremost Interstate access points- all vital tourism and commerce lifelines. Interstates next to the rest areas see up to 50 percent truck traffic.
“For travelers, it’s an opportunity to travel smarter and safer,” NDOT Assistant Chief Operations Engineer Denise Inda said of the project she coordinated. “For truckers, it’s an opportunity for quick road and weather conditions.”
The $52,000 system installation costs and $6,000 annual maintenance fee will be offset by the Nevada logo sign program at no taxpayer cost. Contracted through leading wireless broadband Internet provider Scientel Wireless, system repairs are required within 72 hours. New DSL Internet connections were installed to provide the high-speed Internet service.
