A proposed transportation project designed to improve safety and mobility between downtown Reno and the University of Nevada, Reno, advanced this month as officials gathered public feedback at a community meeting.
The $60 million to $90 million University Gateway Transportation Project is a collaboration between the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, the city of Reno and UNR.
Officials anticipate seeking local, state and federal funding to cover costs. If that funding is secured, construction could begin as early as 2029 or 2030.
The project aligns with the Vision Zero Truckee Meadows Action Plan, which prioritizes safety improvements along corridors with the highest rates of serious crashes, known as the High-Injury Network. The action plan emphasizes pedestrian and bicycle safety through multimodal street design.
RTC officials say the corridor is part of the region’s High-Injury Network, with multiple pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries documented in the area.
The proposal addresses those safety concerns through traffic flow improvements including the extension of East Ninth Street from Valley Road to Wells Avenue and the realignment of Ninth Street between University Way and Evans Avenue. The Evans Avenue bridge, which crosses Interstate 80, would be upgraded with separate bicycle and walking routes, along with new lighting. Evans Park would also be redeveloped to create safer connections between the city, the park and the university. Landscaping features are intended to mark a gateway entrance to the campus.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributors from Wikimedia Commons
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