Photos by Pat Vradenburg, NDOT Resident Engineer

In 2011, approximately 64,000 motorists traveled the North Valleys section of U.S. 395. In 2021, 82,500 vehicles traveled the stretch daily. Recognizing the expansion of the Reno Metro Area north of I-80 and planning for future growth, NDOT’s U.S. 395 North Valleys Project features significant changes designed to accommodate the growing levels of traffic on the approximately four miles of the highway. In addition, the project is helping to preserve the roadway, and provide a safer, smoother drive for the motorists who travel the corridor daily.

In September 2023, the $230-million contract for Phase 1 of the project was awarded to the joint venture of Q&D RHB. Since construction began in November 2023, more than 225,000 person-hours have gone into the project.

As of April, 40% of the structure work is complete, 85% of the drainage structure, electrical, and ITS work is complete, and 50% of the concrete paving is complete with 36,123 cubic yards of concrete placed. Three northbound lanes are now open up to the Parr Interchange, serving to alleviate congestion in north Reno.

Here are some of the improvements currently being built to enhance traffic mobility and safety on the heavily-traveled corridor.

  • An additional lane is being added to southbound U.S. 395 between north McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road. This new lane will be constructed in the median on the southbound side of the freeway.
  • Additional designated merging lanes are being constructed between each freeway ramp in both directions on U.S. 395 between north McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road.
  • A “braided” freeway ramp is being built along northbound U.S. 395 between the Panther Valley on-ramp and Golden Valley Road for safer, smoother traffic flow, similar to southbound I-580 ramps at Mill and Second Streets.

  • Ten bridges are being widened (see above).
  • Repaving in both directions is taking place on U.S. 395 between north McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road.

  • Six new sound walls, plus retaining walls, and aesthetic elements highlighting the gateway to the City of Reno, and roadside ground treatments such as native plantings and rock are all being constructed.

  • Shoulders, of up to 12 feet in width, are being added to provide additional room for safe pull-offs, enhanced incident management, and roadside response.

Since the project launched in September 2023, NDOT and the Joint Venture of Q&D and RHB have placed 110,000 square yards of new concrete pavement, and more than 3,000 cubic yards of concrete have gone into the construction of retaining walls along the roadway.

Additional roadway improvements that are also being constructed include new LED interchange lighting, resurfacing of interchange bridges, drainage improvements, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and signage.

Design of Phase 2 of the North Valleys Project is nearing 100% completion and is expected to be finalized this summer. The project remains on track to begin construction by summer 2026. Looking further down the road, NDOT plans an additional phase of improvements, which will widen, repave, and improve neighboring sections of U.S. 395 between Golden Valley Road and Stead Boulevard.

Big thanks and a tip of the hard hat go out to Q&D Project Manager Kenneth Semenko, NDOT Senior Project Manager Nanette Maxwell, and NDOT Resident Engineer Pat Vradenburg for their contributions to this article.