Sparks approves interlocal agreement with RTC for FY2026 street and highway projects

Sparks City Council on March 10 approved an interlocal cooperative agreement, AC6099, with the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County to participate in FY2026 streets and highways programs and projects.

Community Services Director Michael Drinkwater told the council the agreement advances projects from the Regional Transportation Plan into the Regional Transportation Improvement Program and the local streets and highways program. He said two Sparks-specific projects in the FY2026 work program are the Highland Ranch Parkway widening (design in 2026, construction expected in 2028) and Wedekind Road pedestrian improvements (design 2026, construction 2027).

Dale Keller, deputy executive director at the RTC, said the Sparks Boulevard capacity-improvement project is planned to go out to bid in April with construction expected to begin in June or July and likely to span about two construction seasons. Drinkwater and Keller highlighted regional funding totals shown during the presentation: a pavement-preservation program with a $22.5 million regional budget, a $10 million traffic and intelligent transportation systems budget and a new $5 million active-transportation program for multimodal projects.

Councilmember Abbott asked about cones and early work on Highland Ranch Parkway; Assistant City Manager John Martini said crews are installing a waterline loop as a precondition to roadway work and that roadway construction is expected to start this summer for the Highland Ranch segment from 5 Bridges Parkway toward Pyramid Highway. RTC staff said they are coordinating timing with the Nevada Department of Transportation to avoid overlapping major construction on parallel corridors.

Councilmember Rodriguez moved to approve the interlocal agreement; Councilmember Anderson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.