The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County’s board on Friday agreed to fund part of the first phase of the Reno Spaghetti Bowl reconstruction scheduled to start early next year.
RTC approved an agreement with the state Department of Transportation to collectively pay $30 million of the approximately $150 million
RTC will contribute $10 million each year for 3 years, the agreement states. The project is part of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan.
Work on the Spaghetti Bowl Xpress, or SBX, is expected to include the following:
- I-80 widening from the downtown exit at Sierra and Virginia streets to East McCarran Boulevard
- U.S. 395/I-580 widening from Parr Boulevard to Kietzke Lane
- Reconstruction of freeway ramps to improve safety and operations
- Enhancement of interchanges at Virginia Street downtown, Wells Avenue, Fourth Street, Kietzke Lane, Rock Boulevard, Pyramid Way, East
and North McCarran Boulevard, Clear Acre Lane, Oddie Boulevard, Second Street, Mill Street, Plumb Lane, and Moana Lane and South Virginia Street. - Realignment of Ninth with 10th and G streets
- Retention of the inbound direct access ramp from southbound I-580 to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Benefits include reducing I-80, U.S. 395 and I-580 backups, according to RTC. Decreased weaving movement is also expected from Wells Avenue and the I-80 eastbound exit to U.S. 395, between the I-80-to-U.S. 395 ramps and the Second Street/Glendale Avenue exit, along with the Second/Glendale and Mill Street intersection.
Amy Cummings, RTC metropolitan planning director, said NDOT is nearing completion on an environmental impact statement and is seeking resolutions from all jurisdictions to demonstrate strength and commitment to the project.
“We do look forward to supporting NDOT as this project moves forward,” said RTC Chairman Bob Lucey.
