Community members who drive to and from the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center and Fernley are discussing a potential new work route.
RTC has been hosting open houses for people to learn more about the Northeast Connector Feasibility and Alignment Study.
Bryan Byrne, project manager of the study with the RTC, says it began after the community initially shared concerns over the congestion through that stretch of I-80 during commute times.
"We hear a lot of concerns with the traffic on I-80 taking a long time to either get back to, you know, the Reno-Sparks area," said Byrne. "And there's really no other alternate routes for this, from the TRI center or Fernley. So, it's a concern that we're evaluating to see if there's another potential route."
Oftentimes in the evening, the traffic on I-80 is bumper to bumper, and sometimes at a standstill. Byrne believes that the connector could alleviate the traffic. However, even drivers who would want to support the project are wary due to one big roadblock.
"They have no funding. Even though they're doing their best to find sources for funding," said Fred Tholke. "But that's a complicated process."
Tholke has been following the study and would like to see it become a reality, if only funding can be secured.
To get funding, though, the RTC needs the support of the community. Then, investors would be more willing to hand over their dollars, and more funding through tax dollars may become available.
RTC will need anywhere from $275 million to $451 million, as future phases of the project are currently not funded.
To share feedback on the study and learn more about it, visit this website.Â
