Midtown Street Construction Begins Next Month

The Federal Transit Administration authorized the Regional Transportation Commission this week to incur construction costs for the Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Project scheduled to start June 17.

That means that the long-awaited Midtown street construction is scheduled to begin.

The project timeline:

• Summer through fall 2019 – Work on select side streets in Midtown and work on South Virginia Street from Mt. Rose Street to Plumb Lane.
• Winter 2019 through spring 2020 – Work on Virginia Street sidewalks and paving from Mt. Rose Street northward.
• Spring through winter 2020 – Work on Virginia Street sidewalks and paving continuing northward to Liberty Street and the installation of a roundabout at Center Street.
• Spring 2020 through fall 2020 – University of Nevada, Reno roadway reconstruction and transit stations begin.

“Virginia Street residents, business owners and visitors are one step closer to a completely transformed corridor with new wide sidewalks, new transit stations, up to 240 street trees, upgraded underground infrastructure, new lighting and pavement,” RTC Executive Director Lee Gibson said in a statement. “This project is critical in improving transit operations and creating a culture of safety and vibrancy in this growing area of our community.”

The first part of construction included utility relocations and upgrades that took place mostly underground. The majority of work in Midtown scheduled to begin next month will occur at road level. This includes sidewalks, landscaping, new street lighting, new and updated transit stations, work on side streets and safety improvements.

Utility companies will continue connection work throughout the corridor, requiring minor lane closures or traffic shifts.

The RTC board on Monday is scheduled to vote on a $47.7 million agreement with Sierra Nevada Construction for the project’s subsequent phase. Eight new stations, reconstruction of nine side streets and wider sidewalks are planned.

ON THE WEB

Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Project: http://virginiastreetproject.com