Washoe County is expected to see an increase of over 147,000 people over the next 20 years. The area is seeing a welcome influx of more commercial and industrial enterprises. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), in preparation for continued population growth, is improving portions along Interstate 80, Interstate 580, and U.S. 395, with particular attention to the I-80/I-580 Interchange, also known as the Spaghetti Bowl. In addition to these improvements, future traffic projections will be analyzed, and infrastructure needs will be identified to take the Reno-Sparks area through the year 2040.

Spaghetti Bowl improvements include short-, mid- and long-range projects. NDOT has put plans in place to add more freeway digital message signs advising drivers of upcoming traffic conditions near the Spaghetti Bowl. Long-range projects may include the widening of the freeway and interchange ramps to accommodate increased traffic volumes.

NDOT, along with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is responsible for preparing the environmental document in cooperation with local governments. The City of Sparks is considered a “participating agency.” This gives the City opportunities to provide input at key decisions points in the NEPA process, identify any issues of concern regarding potential environmental or socioeconomic impacts, and participate in the scoping process.  The resolution formally shows support of the project and its elements. This resolution helps document the collaborative process and each participating agency’s endorsement will be included in the Final EIS and Record-of-Decision.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) propose to reconstruct Interstate 80 (I-80), Interstate 580 (I-580), and U.S. Highway 395 (US 395) in Reno and Sparks, Nevada. The scope of the project is to reconstruct the freeway and bridges, reconstruct and modify interchange access to improve safety and traffic flow, and reconstruct local streets affected by the freeway reconstruction. The project would accomplish the following:

• Maintain a key link in the local, state, and national transportation network.

• Address the obsolete design of I-80, I-580, and US 395 to improve safety and decrease crashes.

• Replace bridges that are approaching the end of their useful lives.

• Accommodate existing and future traffic volumes at an acceptable level of service. The project would neither require nor preclude future transportation improvements identified in the regional transportation plan. The project would provide a safer and more efficient transportation system in the study area, while minimizing impacts to the natural, cultural, and built environment to the extent feasible and practicable. NDOT and FHWA are the lead state and federal agencies, respectively, for the project.

1. City Council could approve Resolution No R-3345 in support of the Spaghetti Bowl project as outlined by Staff.

2. City Council could reject Resolution No R-3345 in support of the Spaghetti Bowl project and provide direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve Resolution No R-3345 supporting the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Spaghetti Bowl Project as outlined by staff.