UPDATE MARCH 3, 2026: 

Drivers will see a new merge as construction pushes closer to its final configuration.

A new traffic pattern is coming to southbound U.S. 395 beginning the evening of March 3 as highway construction continues in the North Valleys.

The Nevada Department of Transportation says southbound lanes will shift near the Clear Acre Lane on-ramp over several consecutive nights.

The change will remove the current split lanes through the southbound work zone and move cars closer to the permanent freeway configuration.

Through traffic is advised to use the left lane if drivers do not have an exit within the work zone.

The Clear Acre Lane on-ramp to southbound U.S. 395 will also be realigned. The ramp currently enters the highway as a dedicated lane.

As part of the shift, cars entering southbound U.S. 395 will merge directly into traffic using an acceleration lane and will not have a full merge lane.

Drivers entering the freeway are reminded to yield to southbound traffic before merging.

Transportation officials say this will be the final southbound freeway lane configuration in the Clear Acre area.

Motorists are reminded to drive attentively and slowly to posted work zone speed limits. Construction and lane shift schedules are subject to change.

Project construction is anticipated to continue through summer 2026. Drivers should expect additional traffic shifts and overnight lane and ramp closures as crews complete remaining work.

The project is part of a multi-year effort to widen and repave about four miles of U.S. 395 between North McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road.

Current traffic impacts

Northbound U.S. 395 remains reduced to two lanes around the clock from Parr and Dandini Boulevard to Golden Valley Road as sections of highway and bridges are removed and rebuilt, and retaining walls are constructed. Speeds are reduced to 55 mph through the work zone.

Overnight lane reductions continue with at least one lane open in each direction. Northbound lanes are reduced between 8 p.m. and 11 a.m. Southbound lanes are reduced between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Intermittent ramp closures are scheduled between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday evenings through Saturday mornings, with detours marked.

The Virginia Street on-ramp to southbound U.S. 395 in Panther Valley remains closed for construction.

Planned improvements

The project will add a southbound lane between North McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road, built in the median of the freeway. Crews are also constructing additional merge lanes between ramps in both directions.

A braided ramp will be built along northbound U.S. 395 between the Panther Valley on-ramp and Golden Valley Road to improve traffic flow. Both directions of the highway will be repaved.

Plans also call for five new sound walls, retaining walls, aesthetic elements highlighting the gateway to the city of Reno, and roadside treatments including native plantings and rock. Paved shoulders of up to 12 feet will be added to improve incident response and roadside safety.

Drivers can sign up for construction text alerts by texting NorthValleys to (866)-540-8466 or by visiting 395NorthValleys.com.  and can find updates and highway conditions at dot.nv.gov or by calling 511.

 

ORIGINAL STORY - July 16, 2025: 

New lane shifts have begun on U.S. 395 South in the North Valleys. NDOT announced these lane shifts as part of its 395 North Valleys Project.

Through traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed left lanes, and the southbound off-ramp to Parr Boulevard and Dandini Boulevard will be closed.

These closures are expected to last until the end of the summer. But don't worry, there's a detour for southbound drivers heading to Parr.

"There is a nearby detour available at Clear Acre Lane," says Meg Ragonese, Public Information Officer for NDOT. "So, that's another reminder for drivers to make sure you're giving yourself extra time as you travel through this work zone."

NDOT says these closures are part of a project to replace old sections of freeway and bridges between Golden Valley Road and North McCarran Boulevard.

On top of these 24/7 closures, U.S. 395 South will have extra lanes closed between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. all week. 395 North will see the same thing from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m.

Some ramps in the North Valleys will also be closed between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Sunday night to Saturday morning.

Ragonese says they're making steady progress on the project, even if you can't tell right away.

"Crews actually work up to six days a week on this project," Ragonese says. "A lot of that work is taking place behind the scenes or below the freeway."

The end goal of the project is to expand U.S. 395 South to three lanes between Golden Valley and McCarran Boulevard, and some merge lanes between exit and entrance ramps. Right now, crews are widening bridges to make those new lanes possible.

NDOT will also build braided ramps on 395 North for the Panther Valley on-ramp and Golden Valley off-ramp. This setup will be similar to what we have now on 395 South with the Second Street on-ramp and Mill Street off-ramp. Both directions of 395 will be repaved in the area as well.

While traffic slows and closed lanes bog down the current commute, NDOT says the project will increase safety and reduce travel times for future trips on 395.

"This is such an important project aimed at enhancing mobility and safety for commuters to and from the North Valleys," Ragonese says.

To learn more about NDOT's 395 North Valleys project, click here.