The Tahoe Reno Industrial Center has been growing, quickly, with companies like Tesla and SWITCH moving to the complex. Part of the deal that brought Tesla's gigafactory to northern Nevada was the completion of a four-lane highway, stretching 18 miles between Interstate 80 and US-50.Â
Six miles of USA Parkway are finished. Now crews are preparing to complete the final 12 miles to Silver Springs.
Meg Ragonese is the Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Transportation. She says the new highway provides many positive transportation improvements.
"As another alternative route, it will provide an additional way for emergency response if they need to reach an area," Ragonese said. "It will also provide another all-weather route, connecting I-80 and US-50 in the event of inclement weather."
Ames Construction is already moving heavy equipment onto the construction site. Along with grading and paving, crews will improve the existing six miles of USA Parkway. Most of that will include guardrail installations and shoulder work.Â
Safety is one of the main aspects of the project. Wild horses and cattle roam in that area, so accommodations are being made for them, too.
"To help keep drivers and wild horses safe, we're going to construct two wildlife undercrossings, as well as some fencing and signage to notify drivers," Ragonese said.
Completion of the $75.9 million project was originally slated for 2019. That is being fast-tracked, using the design-build method of construction. It allows parts of the design to happen during construction.Â
"So they, together, can find construction efficiencies that can, often times, lead to time savings in construction, and even cost savings," Ragonese said.
The completed parkway is expected to open in late 2017, reducing travel times by as much as 38%Â for travelers between Lyon County and Storey County. Along with improved mobility, USA Parkway is expected to have a large impact on economic development throughout the region, including Silver Springs.
"Without being a bedroom community, in this area, we now have the ability to produce jobs in our own area," Vida Keller, Vice President of Business and Development Association of Silver Springs said.
Silver Springs does not have a lot of business, but some expect that to change because of the arrival of larger businesses like Tesla.
"You bring in 6,000 jobs but then they also bring in a lot of support that's required for that. Those businesses can locate here," Doug Bennett, President of Business and Development Association of Silver Springs said.
The timing is also good for the town. Community leaders say other improvements are already happening, and the new road will aid in its evolution.
"With the expansion of the airport, USA Parkway, the new downtown Silver Springs is being master planned as we speak. This area is going to change," Keller said.
A ground-breaking ceremony is set for the construction project, June 7.
