The City of Reno is scheduled to weigh in at Wednesday’s City Council meeting about the Interstate 11 project, which is connecting Mexico to Canada through Nevada.
Going through Las Vegas, the end route through Northern Nevada is up in the air, but the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is considering four options to connect the interstate to Interstate 80: from the Walker Lake area to Reno, from Fallon to I-80 through east and west connections, or from Tonopah direct to I-80 through Salt Wells.
At least one other Nevada county is eyeing the possible routes as an economic boon.
“It is imperative to connect our two major urban areas in Nevada from an economic development perspective,” said Humboldt County Manager Dave Mendiola. “We feel it is also imperative that we connect southern Idaho (Boise Valley and the greater Treasure Valley) to northern Nevada. The southern Idaho regional economy has been one of the fastest growing in the nation over the past five years.”
But Reno may also want the route.
“This issue is being presented and discussed with Council in advance of NDOT’s March 28 public meeting in the event Council wants to take a position on the alternate routes at this time and if it would like staff to place those comments on the record at the NDOT public hearings,” according to city staff.
NDOT is holding a public meeting in Reno March 28, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Grand Sierra Resort. Details: https://www.nevadadot.com/home/showdocument?id=12956.
Planning on the project is continuing through 2018.
“The City of Winnemucca and Humboldt County…have been working diligently to prepare the region for this scenario, and we have plans in place to accommodate the growth and needs of the transportation industry, should the route through Winnemucca be chosen,” added Winnemucca Mayor Di An Putnam.
