Nevada Department of Transportation officials briefed the Elko County Commission on the department’s rural engagement cycle, recent local projects and a slate of planned roadwork, and said they were identifying locations for truck‑climbing/passing lanes on U.S. 93. "We are looking at passing lanes throughout the state," said Tracy Larkin Thomason, NDOT director, noting that locations have been identified but funding determines timing.

NDOT listed completed and upcoming local projects including chip seals, crack‑sealing and pavement preservation on state routes in and near Elko County, and cited a $79.3 million recent investment and a $103.2 million planned program through 2027 for several regional projects. The department said it will soon hire a rural communications specialist to improve outreach with county officials.

On U.S. 93, commissioners pressed NDOT for clarity on where passing lanes and wildlife crossings will be located. NDOT and district staff said a truck‑passing lane study has identified candidate locations north of Wells and that other locations—including a wildlife crossing south of Wells—are under early study. NDOT cautioned construction timing depends on funds and noted construction input prices have risen sharply in recent years while state and federal fuel tax rates have not changed since 1993.

Why it matters: Passing lanes and safety changes on U.S. 93 affect travel safety and freight movement through the county. Commissioners asked NDOT to return with proposed passing lane locations and to coordinate with county staff so the county is aware of candidate sites.

Next steps: NDOT agreed to provide the county with identified passing‑lane locations and to coordinate with county staff on corridor planning and any pre‑design work. The department also said it will continue regular five‑year rural outreach and provide follow‑up on specific local issues such as SR‑227 corridor evaluations and sidewalk requests.