If you drive west of Reno often, changes are coming that could affect your commute for years.
Starting April 6, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will begin a multi-year project along Interstate 80 between exits 4 and 7, from Mae Anne Avenue to Boomtown. The work will continue through spring 2028 as crews replace seven aging bridges along the corridor.
During the first week of construction, from April 6 through April 10, cars will see lanes shifted to the outside shoulder while crews install a roadside barrier rail.
At least two lanes will stay open in each direction during the day, but overnight reductions will begin right away. Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays, traffic will periodically drop to one lane in each direction. Drivers should expect reduced speeds, lane shifts, and changing traffic control during those hours.
After the initial phase, similar traffic patterns will continue from April 11 through spring 2028.
Throughout the project, at least two lanes will remain open in each direction during daytime hours. Overnight, lanes will be reduced to one in each direction between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays. Speed limits through work zones will drop to 55 miles per hour.
Traffic will also be rerouted at times through crossovers near the Mae Anne Avenue overpass and in the Mogul area as crews work on bridge demolition and reconstruction. Intermittent side street closures and brief interstate detours are expected, with advance notice planned. Drivers should anticipate moderate delays through the work zone.
The project will replace bridges located west of Robb Drive to the Garson Road overpass in Verdi, including spans over Mae Anne Avenue, Mogul Road, and Fourth Street (in the Lawton area), along with the Garson Road overpass itself.
Transportation officials say the bridges are about 60 years old and have exceeded their expected lifespan. The replacements will keep the same number of lanes but include wider shoulders to improve maneuverability, especially during incidents and emergency response. The new structures will also include seismic upgrades.
At the Garson Road bridge near Boomtown, crews will add a barrier-separated shared-use path designed to connect with future pedestrian projects in the area.
The new bridges will also feature design elements inspired by the Truckee River, including artwork depicting water, fish, dragonflies, and fly fishing, along with decorative rock to help reduce erosion.
The project is funded with about $68 million in federal money and is focused on bridge replacement, not roadway widening. About 47,000 people travel this stretch of interstate each day.
Construction schedules are weather permitting and subject to change.
