NDOT: Nevada’s transportation needs outpace funding as NEVI rollout pauses and wildlife grants move forward

Tracy Larkin Thomason, director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, told the Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on Feb. 4 that Nevada is one of the fastest‑growing states and that the department is balancing preservation, expansion and enhancement of the highway system.

NDOT estimated its annual program fluctuates between about $800 million and $1.2 billion, with a common reference figure of roughly $1 billion per year drawn from a mix of federal grants and state highway fund dollars. Director Larkin Thomason said construction‑sector inflation and supply and labor shortages have sharply reduced buying power: "Inflation has gone up 68% in the construction industry," she said, and that combination has eroded what NDOT can procure with available funds.

Why it matters: NDOT said it is funding roughly half the transportation needs identified in its most recent need assessments and that the state could require $17 billion–$20 billion over 10 years to meet both preservation and capacity needs. The department warned that limited redundancy on major corridors makes the system vulnerable to prolonged closures during wildfires or other emergencies.

Key program updates and constraints

- NEVI and Title 23 review: NDOT described the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program as an important federal initiative to build charging along alternate fuel corridors, but officials said the program’s deployment is complicated in Nevada by rural distances, power‑supply considerations and federal Title 23 rules written with pavement projects in mind. "To date the NEVI funds have not been spent to put in infrastructure along our roadways,” said Candy Barwerle, an NDOT official. She told the committee that the department is ready to spend but that program guidance and a federal review have placed projects in limbo.

- Wildlife crossings and AB 112: NDOT said the Legislature’s 2023 action that created a wildlife‑crossing account enabled the department to pursue federal grants. NDOT secured roughly $16.8 million to construct wildlife crossings and about 68 miles of fencing along U.S. 93, and the department described a portfolio of crossing types for species ranging from desert tortoise to big game.

- Maintenance and nontraditional costs: Larkin Thomason said roadside cleanup (homeless encampments, trash abatement), copper theft, and stormwater/environmental compliance are now material annual costs. She also identified rest area failures (septic, water system problems) and said some rural rest areas have been closed while repairs are made.

- Workforce and procurement: NDOT said vacancies have declined from earlier highs but recruiting engineers and maintenance staff in rural areas remains difficult; competition from mining and private industry is a factor.

Projects and cash‑flow notes

NDOT described multiple ongoing or proposed projects across the state, including Tropicana/I‑15 construction nearing completion, I‑80 widening projects in challenging terrain, and corridor work in Northern Nevada. Officials emphasized federal grants are typically reimbursement‑based and that the department manages cash flow and bond use to avoid interruptions if reimbursements are delayed.

Quotes and exchanges

Vice Chair Max Carter asked whether there is an enforcement mechanism for private chargers that go offline. Larkin Thomason said it depends on ownership and that some rural stations have been out of service for extended periods because vendors or technicians were not available to repair them promptly. Candy Barwerle added that Title 23 compliance, right‑of‑way rules and available electricity all complicate where stations can be sited.

What the department will follow up on

NDOT pledged to provide additional information to the committee on reflectivity research for highway signs and on the range of wildlife‑crossing treatments and costs. Members also asked for follow‑up on rest area closures and speed‑limit rationales in rural stretches of I‑80.

Ending

NDOT told the committee that the state’s transportation system faces rising costs, a large backlog and complex federal compliance requirements for new programs such as NEVI. Officials asked lawmakers to continue attention to funding, permitting and workforce challenges while NDOT pursues grants and coordinates with local partners.