Current Construction: Widening of U.S. 395 Between North McCarran Blvd. and Golden Valley Rd. Phase 1B

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is making improvements along a 4-mile stretch of U.S. 395 from north McCarran Boulevard to Golden Valley Road in northern Nevada. This project will widen U.S. 395 southbound from two to three lanes between north McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road and add sound walls near residential areas. This project will include auxiliary lanes between the interchanges in both the northbound and southbound directions, and the rehabilitation of the existing roadway. The total cost of the project is approximately $230 million.

Enhancements include:

• Adding one additional lane to southbound U.S. 395 between McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road. This new lane will be constructed in the existing inside median of the southbound freeway.
• Constructing additional designated merging lanes between each freeway ramp in both directions on U.S. 395 between McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road. 
• Repaving U.S. 395 between McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road.
• Constructing a “braided” freeway ramp along northbound U.S. 395 between the Panther Valley on-ramp and Golden Valley Road for safer, smoother traffic flow.

Project Information

For more detailed project information, and to sign up for traffic alerts, visit www.395NorthValleys.com.

This project will include the construction of five new sound walls, retaining walls at the bridges and in the median, and aesthetic elements highlighting the gateway to the City of Reno. The sound walls range from eight to 18-feet in height. Sound walls are the used to mitigate traffic noise impacts to adjacent property owners and residents. The sound walls are generally constructed at the edge of the roadway to maximize noise reduction.

Sound walls provide a canvas for visually pleasing treatments. Sound wall and retaining wall aesthetic patterns are inspired by native Peavine Mountain Aspen trees.  Two distinct patterns will be cast into the concrete. One pattern reflects the trunk and bark of the trees, and the other represents the leaves. The trunk pattern will be on both sides of the sound walls, while the leaf pattern will be on the retaining walls. All surfaces will be painted. 

For the North Virginia Street gateway to the City of Reno, a large aesthetic element will be visible from both U.S. 395 as well as North Virginia Street.  This 27 -foot-tall piece will include five different colors and be constructed of concrete, steel, and polyacrylic panels, similar to the materials used at the Parr/Dandini Interchange. Subtle lighting will enhance the night view. The structure draws inspiration from early Reno architecture and the Reno arch. Ground treatments include preservation of existing plant material, seeding, native plantings, rock, and boulders.

Phase 1A: Parr/Dandini Blvd. Bridge Replacement

This phase of the project replaced an aging and structurally deficient Parr/Dandini Boulevard bridge over U.S. 395.

The previous 48-year-old Parr/Dandini Boulevard bridge over U.S. 395 was removed in June. Since that time, crews placed approximately 2,000 cubic yards of concrete and 150 tons of reinforcing steel to construct the new bridge. The bridge was constructed using precast concrete girders, which were constructed off-site and then lowered into position at the bridge location to expedite construction.

• • The new bridge is longer and wider, at 56-feet wide compared to the previous 50-foot wide bridge
  • The new bridge offers sidewalks on both sides, where the previous bridge did not have pedestrian facilities.
  • Two new pillar-like monuments and decorative pedestrian bridge railings will be installed to replicate the prismatic shape of volcanic soils in the area. 
  • Lighting will illuminate the bridge sidewalks and monuments.

The new, wider bridge is a critical first step in NDOT’s future phased widening of U.S. 395 in the North Valleys. Beginning in 2023, NDOT plans to widen southbound U.S. 395 to three lanes between McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road. Both directions of freeway will also be repaved, and additional designated merge lanes constructed between each ramp. These improvements are projected to bring smoother, less congested travel to the corridor which serves a continually-developing area. Further state transportation information is available at nevadadot.com or by dialing (775) 888-7000.

Lemmon Drive diverging diamond interchange

For future phases, learn more here.

Regional North Valleys Infrastructure Improvements 

Learn about all the infrastructure improvements from partner agencies coming to the North Valleys here: www.northvalleysimprovements.com