The town of Fernley is growing and with a population of over 20,000, residents say they need more access to major highways. The Fernley City Council has an idea that might help with congestion and traffic for it's residents. The road will come with the construction of an industrial park, and connect the north and south portions of Nevada Pacific Parkway, thus connecting Highway 50 Alternate to Interstate 80.

"We are working with the developer, we are working with NDOT and the City, we are looking at potential grant opportunities and other funding sources to make sure that gets pushed forward,” said Fernley City Manager Daphne Hooper.

The problem is that this land technically belongs to Lyon County, and that's why the City of Fernley needs to vote to annex it in order to start any kind of construction or to look for any funding.

“This annexation will allow that piece of property to come into the City of Fernley, and then follow our planning requirements and documents so that they can then move forward with the development of the park," said Hooper.

Currently it's just a dirt road that doesn't connect right now due to train tracks near the southern portion of the road. The plan is to have a bridge going over the tracks, and connecting the two portions of the roadway. Residents we spoke with were excited for the possible change. They say that due to recent growth, traffic can be a challenge.

“The only roundabout from here from the 95 to the 50 to get to the 80, sometimes where you are sitting there waiting to get into the roundabout for a good five or ten minutes," said Fernley resident Tessa Garvin.

“I think it's amazing, we need to have some different options as far as the roads, it's really congested over here, especially at the roundabout," said Fernley resident Dena Lopez.

This is just the very first stage, and city officials wanted to let the public know that the project could take upwards of five years to complete.

"Five years before we even know it, so at least we are planning now and we'll have an opportunity to catch up to the game," said Lopez.

At 6:25 P.M. on Wednesday night, the Fernley City Council adopted bill 208, annexing 170.13 acres of land from Lyon County for the industrial park.