Q&A Tuesday: Freeway project manager anticipates next phases

Jim Gallegos, is the project manager for the Carson City Freeway project, for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

What is the status of construction on the bypass at this point? Is there any construction going on right now?

Phase 1 we're really excited about. It's been a successful project, and opening to traffic early was a great thing to do for the community. Its benefits are going to be realized especially with the growth out in Mound House and Dayton. Phase 1B is still being done. That includes paving, striping and fencing the multi-use path, some minor widening on Hot Springs Road, paving on Carson Street and on U.S. 50 East. We're finishing the 50 bridge but south of Highway 50 is where you see most of the effort right now. Constructing the water quality basin between 50 and Fifth Street where the storm drain system outlets into the low portion of the city on the Lompa Ranch. Phase 1 is going to do the drainage features to accept the water flows form the north. That includes wetland seeding and plants. They'll put in some cattails and willows, wetland grasses. We're going to plant out there to get the initial growth started so the area can act as wetland replacement.

What is the next phase of construction? When does it go to bid?

The next phase we're planning to bid in October this year. There are things happening that the public may not be aware of. We put out a project to demolish the houses out there to kind of clear the way for the contractor. That project will start in the next week or so to clear that right- of-way.

Then we're working with the utility companies to get their plans approved. Utility relocation is one of the biggest things that has to take place, but we're getting really close to having plans completed for all the utility companies. Then you will see construction start for utility companies. There'll be a lot of work at Fairview, but you'll also see a lot of work at Fifth Street. All that work should start in the next month or so. Then once the utility companies have progressed far enough for our contractor to begin work, we'll advertise (Phase 2A). The contractor will start at Fairview Drive and work his way north. Construction should begin in early 2007. Then on Phase 2B, we are nearly at 90 percent on the design. In the fall we should have a pretty good set of plans to share with the utility companies. Final plans will be done next year.

How much is the remainder of the project going to cost and is that money in hand, available?

Phase 2A (Highway 50 to Fairview) is funded for $50 million to $60 million. The next phase, 2B, is a little farther out so there's no dedicated funds for 2B yet, but we are committed to completing this project. We still believe that in 2010 we'll open this thing to traffic.

Most of the northern half is built up much higher than surrounding streets and homes. What will the south half of the bypass look like?

On the southern half of the freeway, all the roads go up and over the freeway or the freeway goes underneath them. With that there are some challenges introduced. There will be two bridges over the Kings Canyon channel just north of Fifth Street. That's the lowest part of the drainage. There'll be a two lane bridge at Fifth Street over the freeway and then an interchange at Fairview, also over the freeway. At Koontz and Clearview, there'll be three lane bridges - one lane each direction plus a left-turn lane. The streets will be pretty much at grade with the freeway depressed underneath. Then Snyder will be up and over the freeway, a two lane bridge and there'll be two more bridge structures over the freeway at Spooner Junction.

Is usage of the northern half of the bypass less than anticipated at this point? If so, why?

Our traffic projections are probably very close. This summer you'll typically see more folks traveling. ... But it's at almost 13,000 (cars) a day.