The Nevada Department of Transportation will begin its newest bridge project next week, and officials say it won't be finished until early 2028.
In total, seven interstate bridges along I-80 will be replaced.
The first week of the project will be dedicated to getting lanes shifted to the outside shoulders and installing roadside construction barriers.
They tell us at least two lanes will remain open in each direction during daytime hours and will be shrinking to one lane only overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Officials told us the interstate will remain open the whole time, and no detours will be needed throughout the timeline of construction.
Meg Ragonese, the Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Transportation, said, "This project is going to replace seven aging bridges on I-80. Those are the two interstate bridges at each underpass.”
Officials tell us that the bridges are about 60 years old and their lifespan was originally anticipated for 50 years.
They say about 47,000 people drive through these bridges every day, and after speaking to residents in the area, it seems like they understand the importance of this project.
Anthonio Cruz, who is a Reno native, told us, "If we had let them go past 20 years, and now that would’ve been dangerous. So I’m pretty fortunate about it. I mean, yes, it's probably going to be an annoyance to people with construction and just, you know, traffic and everything, but overall become a better cause.”
The project is said to cost about $68 million, with the money coming from federal funding.
They say the bridges will be painted with images of water, fish, and dragonflies, as well as other scenes reflecting the Truckee River habitat.
Officials encourage drivers to get a view of the road before they travel.
