Paving begins on USA Parkway extension

The Nevada Department of Transportation’s USA Parkway/State Route 439 project has reached a milestone as paving of the future roadway extension has begun.

The USA Parkway was originally constructed as a privately built, six-mile-long road connecting Interstate 80 to the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center east of Sparks. The project will extend the Parkway by more than 12 miles to reach U.S. 50 near Silver Springs, creating an approximately 18-mile-long, four-lane state roadway between Interstate 80 and U.S. 50.

Major earthwork is approximately 50 percent complete, with nearly 1.3 million cubic yards of earth already moved to make way for the future freeway. This week, crews have begun paving the first segment of future roadway from the end of the existing, paved USA Parkway to the Lyon County line.

Construction on the $75.9 million project by design-build contractor Ames Construction will continue through late 2017 with:

• Continuing earthwork and excavation to create the new roadway alignment

• Installation of two wildlife undercrossings and roadside animal fencing to enhance safety by decreasing chance of vehicle-wildlife collisions.

• Construction of a roundabout at the future USA Parkway/U.S. 50 intersection near Silver Springs

• Final roadway paving, striping, drainage, signage and guardrail

Known as State Route 439, the future roadway will further link the greater Reno/Sparks area with the U.S. 50 corridor in Silver Springs, enhancing regional mobility and creating an additional route for commuter, freight and other traffic. The road will also help support regional economic development and serve as another route in the event of emergency or weather-related road closures. The project is projected to reduce travel times by as much as 38 percent for those traveling between U.S. 50 and I-80.

Through the end of the year, periodic single-lane closures will continue on the existing USA Parkway during weekday daytime hours for installing additional guardrail and grading roadside slopes. The USA Parkway extension is expected to open for travel in late 2017. Project information is available at www.usaparkway.com or by dialing (775) 888-7000.