Construction on Interstate 580 is more than halfway completed, but you're still going to see a couple more months of lane restrictions and ramp closures. So far two lanes have been reconstructed on southbound 580. And just this last week, even more progress has been made.Â
"Crews have been able to remove and replace the concrete median barrier in between both directions of I-580 traffic. That is actually now a taller and safer concrete barrier," said Meg Ragonese, with the Nevada Department of Transportation.Â
In the last couple of weeks, the lanes have been shifted on Interstate 580 and the off ramp for Villanova Drive and Plumb Lane has been reopened. Now the other phase of Interstate 580 southbound is underway.Â
"Next what crews will do over this next week is remove and demolish some of the older southbound lanes and get ready to pour new concrete," said Ragonese.Â
Since construction has started, NDOT has seen a 40 percent drop in traffic along the interstate, which shows more drivers are taking side streets, like Jose Gallardo. Gallardo used to ride his motorcycle to and from work everyday on Interstate 580. But since construction started, he takes side streets to avoid the traffic on the spaghetti bowl and to watch out for his safety.Â
"It's terrible, I try to avoid it especially when I'm on my motorcycle because there's too much traffic and people don't really pay attention to bikes," said Gallardo.Â
In the past, the cracks and old concrete on Interstate 580 has been dangerous for drivers. Many are hoping to have a smoother and safer drive in the future.Â
Devan Selph from Reno said, "There's definitely a lot of cracks. So hopefully, especially with this hassle."
"I mean I think the roads definitely need to be fixed, it's going to benefit us for sure, we just have to deal with the traffic for now," said Gallardo.Â
Major construction is on schedule and it's expected to be completed this fall. Smaller improvement projects will be made throughout next spring.
