Work on next section of freeway could begin in early spring

Preparation work for the second phase of the Carson City Freeway will begin quickly.

Those tasks include moving utility lines to allow for construction of the freeway and making improvements to Fairview Drive, the intersection of Fifth Street and Butti Way, and Highway 50.

"Things will be happening all over soon," said Larry Werner, city engineer.

Today, the supervisors are being asked to approve an agreement with the Nevada Department of Transportation that spells out which responsibilities are Carson City's and which are the state's.

If the NDOT agreement isn't approved, work on the freeway might be delayed because the city has to make certain modifications and improvements along the route before the state can do its work, said Andrew Burnham, the city's development services director.

The state expects to break ground on section 2A in March or April, said Scott Magruder, NDOT spokesman.

The Fairview freeway interchange is expected to open in 2008. The interchange at Fairview will be the only place to get on or off the freeway between Highway 50 and the Carson/Spooner interchange. The full freeway span should be finished by December 2010, when it connects to Highway 50 near the base of Spooner Summit, Magruder said.

The city will contribute up to $50 million to the entire freeway project, according to Burnham.

The city also seeks easements from the state for Southwest Gas to place lines below ground on Nevada State Prison property near Fifth and Butti, and extending toward the prison parking lot. The city will relocate sanitary lines through the same area, and obtain access from the state for its work earlier this year.

Any of the line work would be subject to city rules.

Also sought is a contract for engineering work needed as utility lines are moved within an area surrounded by Colorado Street, South Saliman Road, Fairview Drive and the Linear Park Ditch to allow for the freeway span to run nearby. The Louis Berger Group will receive roughly $39,000 for its work. This project is scheduled to begin in January.

Postponed - at least for now - was a request by Public Works to begin eminent domain proceedings on two small sections of property south of Clearview Drive and west of South Carson Street. Negotiations with the owners will continue for the easements, according to the district attorney's office.

A sewer line would be routed underground through the property and the city seeks to obtain a total of 1,030 square feet to do this. These lines will join with those the Ribeiro Co. is expected to lay for its planned commercial development south of Albertson's supermarket.

Discussions with the owners about this site only began in April but, "we're running out of time," Werner said.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. today

WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.