Carson City staff reports $56 million in FY25 transportation investments; Ash Canyon receives increased federal funds

Carson City staff told the Regional Transportation Commission that fiscal‑year 2025 included roughly $56 million in transportation‑related investments and highlighted several near‑term project and funding developments.

Transportation manager Chris Martinovich told the commission that the city currently lists 25 projects across the last fiscal year totaling about $56 million in investments from all city and outside sources. He said projects started in FY25 accounted for roughly $11.8 million of new road improvements, and that $3 million of that work came from American Rescue Plan Act funds used on local road projects now nearing completion.

Martinovich said a recent update on the Ash Canyon Flat project increased the federal award from $6.3 million to $9.6 million after federal land authorities reviewed the scope and determined the project would cost more than originally estimated. “The project’s now approximately $10,000,000 as we can get to the …” Martinovich said, noting the award increase was news within the past two weeks and staff will finalize the scope and a memorandum of agreement with the federal partner.

On safety funding, Martinovich reported that Carson City was awarded two of three Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) projects the city requested: College Parkway safety improvements (including pedestrian safety work at College Parkway and Fairview) and the Solomon Road project (focused on safety improvements near Carson High School). The city was not successful on a Curry Street safety request; NDOT told staff higher‑priority safety needs elsewhere in the state prevented funding for that project.

Staff also described coordination with NDOT on the US‑50 rehabilitation project (I‑580 to Deer Run Road), scheduled for construction in 2027, and said the city is pursuing carbon‑reduction funds from CAMPO to rehabilitate a multi‑use path as part of that work. Martinovich said the city is considering contributing local funds to improve project outcomes where appropriate.

On operations, staff reported long‑line striping and the start of utility and roadway work for the William Street corridor; Granite Construction will begin more visible construction activity soon and staff estimated the corridor work could take roughly a year to a year‑and‑a‑half to complete (paving will pause for winter). Martinovich asked the public to expect traffic disruptions and to continue supporting local businesses during construction.

Commissioners and staff also discussed a delay in fuel tax distributions from the state. Martinovich said the city had received its complete streets allocation but had not yet received the main fuel tax distribution; NDOT LPA coordinators told staff they are processing payments, but the timing of some state receipts remained uncertain. Commissioners asked staff to keep the commission informed given short‑term cash‑flow implications for locally funded work.

Martinovich said the city has leveraged approximately $45 million in state and federal grant funding against roughly $10 million in local dollars over recent fiscal years, a ratio staff highlighted as evidence of successful grant pursuit and leverage.

This item was presented for discussion only; no action was required.