RTC Commissioners, below you will find your August 2021 RTC Board Update eNews. This electronic newsletter is distributed monthly following your board meeting.
TSA Extends Mask Mandate Wearing on All Public Transportation Services
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended a federal mask mandate throughout the United States across all transportation networks for all airline, bus, ferry and train passengers through January 18, 2022.
All contractor employees, RTC employees and transit customers are required to wear masks or face coverings inside all transit facilities and while riding in RTC transit vehicles in compliance with the extended mandate.
Lemmon Valley-Spanish Springs Connector Study Update
The RTC is continuing the planning process for a roadway to connect Lemmon Valley with Spanish Springs. The RTC has completed a draft report for the Lemmon Valley-Spanish Springs Connector Study which identifies options for a roadway that would potentially connect the Spanish Springs and North Valleys areas. The study also identifies safety and capacity improvements from Pyramid Highway to W. Calle de la Plata. A preferred alignment has not yet been determined, but the RTC is hoping to continue to receive the community’s input as the study transitions to the next phase of analysis.
The need for this study arose from the North Valleys Multimodal Transportation Study. North Valleys residents expressed a desire for a direct connection between the two areas, as both have been experiencing, and are expected to continue to experience, significant growth in housing and employment. The proposed roadway would help to alleviate traffic currently utilizing US 395/Spaghetti Bowl/Pyramid Highway, and improve regional traffic flow.
Further analysis is still required to select an alignment, address the environmental process, acquire land and identify funding. Construction is not anticipated to begin until the 2031-2050 timeline, as identified by the RTC’s Regional Transportation Plan.
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County will provide free transportation on its RAPID Lincoln Line and Route 11 transit services from September 1 - September 6 all day, each day in partnership with The Nugget. RTC’s RAPID Lincoln Line and Route 11 service runs from downtown Reno to downtown Sparks on 4th Street and Prater Way. All routes serve RTC 4TH STREET STATION and RTC CENTENNIAL PLAZA.
Don’t Drive Arrive! to special events in our community. This is a great opportunity to try transit with your family and friends to one of the region's favorite event. There are plenty of alternatives to driving your car to events, including taking transit, walking, biking or using rideshare. Events like this help to attract new transit passengers and reduce congestion on our roadways. Buses are accessible to people with disabilities. To plan your trip, visit rtcwashoe.com.
Don't Drive Arrive! is a partnership between the RTC, the City of Reno, and the City of Sparks.
The Technical Engineering (TE) Spot 10 North Project, which started on August 23, includes traffic operational and equipment upgrades at El Rancho Drive at Battle Born Way/Victorian Avenue in Sparks. The project will improve traffic operations and safety for drivers and pedestrians. Construction on the project is anticipated to be completed by mid-October. This project represents a $950,000 investment in our community funded with Regional Road Impact Fee (RRIF).
The RTC will begin construction to rehabilitate Newport Lane from Link Lane to McDaniel Street in Reno on August 30, 2021. The project will include a complete roadway reconstruction, new sidewalk connections, ADA pedestrian ramps, driveway and drainage improvements.
To safely complete construction activities, drivers can anticipate some lane closures during construction. Residential access will be maintained at all times, except during pre-scheduled driveway closure events for driveway improvements. Residents will receive at least 18-24 hours notice. Traffic control is subject to change, so please check rtcwashoe.com/traffic-reports for updates.
Construction on the project is anticipated to take approximately eight weeks to complete. This project represents a $2 million investment in our community funded with fuel tax funds.
Washoe County Launches Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign
Earlier this month, Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) in collaboration with RTC launched its Human Trafficking Awareness campaign with thought provoking advertisements on three RTC buses. These buses run throughout the service area, including Route 1 and the new RAPID Virginia Line near downtown, the casinos, and the University of Nevada, Reno, to spread this important messaging.
The HSA is raising public awareness about human trafficking by reaching out to help victims through a multi-faceted campaign, which includes billboards, bus wraps, social media, tv and radio public service announcements. Nevada’s commercial sex market is the largest of any state, per capita. Approximately 5,000 individuals are sold in Nevada for sex in an average month. More than 13 percent of prostituted persons in Nevada are advertised under the age of 21. HSA identified approximately 25 youth in 2020 that have been trafficked in our community or are at risk of being trafficked.
Victims of human trafficking often do not immediately seek help or self-identify as a victims of crime due to a variety of reasons, including lack of trust, self-blame, or specific instructions by the traffickers regarding how to behave when talking to law enforcement or social services. Learn the signs of trafficking and what to look for.
HSA Children’s Division Director Cara Paoli is calling on the community to join HSA in this effort to stop human trafficking in its tracks. “It’s happening. It’s here. Be aware. The next target could be a neighbor, friends, even your children. We hope this widespread community outreach campaign will provide help to those who need it and make our overall community a safer place to live, work and play," said Paoli.
If the public has information that leads them to believe a young person is being trafficked, contact local law enforcement and file a report immediately. Also contact your local child welfare agency. In Washoe County, call 1 (833) 900-7233 (SAFE). Awakenreno.org provides outreach and direct service delivery. Their contact number is (775) 393-9183.
A special thank you from HSA to the following partners for helping make this campaign possible: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Reno Media Group, Lamar Advertising, Safe Embrace and Awaken.
Information courtesy of Washoe County Human Services Agency.
Building For Our Bright Future
Join Truckee Meadows Tomorrow on Tuesday, August 31 from noon to 1 p.m. to take a deeper look at the obstacles and opportunities we face in accommodating the ongoing population boom. Hear from representatives of our most essential local agencies about how they are planning for our bright future.
An esteemed panel of local experts, including RTC Deputy Executive Director and Director of Planning Amy Cummings, will discuss our rapidly growing community and what infrastructure needs we must address to ensure all Northern Nevadans enjoy a safe, sustainable and well-planned tomorrow.
Amid a transportation funding shortfall, recent legislation (Assembly Bill 413) enabled creation of the Nevada Sustainable Transportation Funding Study and Advisory Working Group to analyze sustainable transportation funding. With administrative support from the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Sustainable Transportation Funding Study launched in July with announcement of committee chairs and an informational web site. The advisory group’s nearly 30 members representing Nevada business, government, energy, transportation, labor and other organizations is chaired by the following committee chairs:
Chair: Virginia Valentine, Nevada Resort Association president
Vice-chair: Harshal Desai, Atlas Technical Consultants senior vice president/national growth director representing the American Council of Engineering Companies
RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas provided an overview of the RTC organization and regional transportation funding during the group’s August meeting. The committee will review Nevada’s multimodal transportation needs and recommend funding options to provide long-term financial sustainability to equitably meet long-term needs of all transportation users such as bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians, and public transit users. The recommendations will be compatible with greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and smart growth strategies. The group will host monthly public meetings as they prepare transportation funding recommendations for consideration of the Nevada legislature by December 31, 2022.
The White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that every $1 billion in federal highway and transit investment can support 13,000 jobs for one year.
More than 3,750 job years have been supported by Nevada state transportation contracts and agreements approved since October 2020.
Wells Avenue On-Ramp to Eastbound 1-80 Temporarily Closed for Spaghetti Bowl Improvements
As the Nevada Department of Transportation continues Reno spaghetti bowl renovations, the Wells Avenue on-ramp to eastbound Interstate 80 is temporarily closed through mid-September to provide a safer work zone. As crews continue to reconfigure the eastbound I-80 to southbound I-580 Spaghetti Bowl ramp, the two-lane Spaghetti Bowl ramp has been reduced to one lane. Temporarily closing the Wells Avenue on-ramp to eastbound I-80 toward this Spaghetti Bowl ramp reduces merging and weaving leading into the reduced work zone; enhancing safety and mobility for all. Drivers are still able to access Wells Avenue from I-80.
Ultimately, the base of the eastbound I-80 Spaghetti Bowl ramp to southbound I-580 will be shifted slightly to the east. This will lengthen the distance between the Wells Avenue eastbound I-80 onramp and the Spaghetti Bowl ramp, providing additional safety by adding more space for merging traffic.
The improvements are part of construction of the first phase of NDOT’s Spaghetti Bowl renovations, known as Spaghetti Bowl Xpress. Through 2022, the eastbound I-80 to southbound I-580 Spaghetti Bowl ramp will be widened to two lanes and eastbound Interstate 80 lanes between Wells Avenue and the Spaghetti Bowl striped. On southbound I-580, auxiliary merge lanes and improved ramps will also be added between the Spaghetti Bowl and Plumb Lane, along with sound and aesthetic walls.
Project information and sign-up for e-mail project updates is available at ndotspaghettibowl.com. Community members can also follow @NevadaDOTReno on Twitter for project updates.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
August 31
Truckee Meadows Tomorrow Online Speaker Series – 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Building Our Future: Investing in Infrastructure for A Brighter Tomorrow
Stream live at https://bit.ly/39X2Gqb
Leave a voicemail at (775) 335-0018 (3-minute time limit)
Please note that virtual public comments and voicemails submitted by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, will be entered into the meeting record.
Please contact Michael Moreno or me with any questions you may have.
Michael can be reached at (775) 335-1869 or email at mmoreno@rtcwashoe.com.
Archived editions are available at: rtcwashoe.com.
