Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Beth Scott, left, and Dave Sylvia cross Edmonds Drive at the intersection of Valley View Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Scott and Sylvia are concerned about equestrians and children being able to safely cross the new freeway to access the recreation areas at Prison Hill and Silver Saddle Ranch.
Riding a horse in southeast Carson City is not easy and it may get even more dangerous after the freeway is built, residents recently told city transportation planners struggling to put together the city's first official plan to meet federal urban requirements.
Another group is pushing for safer bicycle riding and walking areas with a path built next to the future freeway.
"We're getting the mostly comments about the bicycle element," said Deputy City Engineer John Flansberg. "That's the most contentious issue. It's not the cars, streets and highway element."
Beth Scott rides her horse to public lands, dodging traffic on Edmonds Drive as she makes her way over to Prison Hill. Scott said she is one of many horse owners who are concerned the future freeway along Edmonds Drive will make it impossible for them to access public riding grounds.
"There is a great deal of concern in the area because there are so many horses," Scott said. "I talked with one couple who is planning to move from the west side of Edmonds to the east side to make sure their daughter can safely ride their horse to the Prison Hill area."
Scott and neighbors recently asked the city's transportation department to include plans for a bridge over the freeway for horses, bikes and pedestrians when finalizing a 20-year city transportation plan.
Transportation officials have drafted a 20-year plan to comply with federal guidelines and set a foundation for the city's future.
The plan is required for the newly formed Metropolitan Planning Organization in order to receive funding for the freeway and roads in Carson City and beyond. The local transportation agency includes all of Carson City and extends south to Stephanie Lane in Douglas County and east one mile into Lyon County.
"The plan we're trying to get adopted right now is to get us to a baseline to meet the federal requirements," Flansberg said.
Planning commissioners approved the draft plan Wednesday, sending it on to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. But, they attached a schedule for staff to complete new sections for the bicycle, transit and pedestrian plans within one to two years.
Commissioners also asked supervisors to revisit the agreement made with Nevada Department of Transportation to limit or remove the multi-use path originally planned next to the second half of the freeway to Highway 50 East.
Even with the financial section not completed and several elements of the plan in need of improvement, the city needs to pass the plan by July 1 to continue receiving federal transportation dollars, Flansberg said.
Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.