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RTC warns of $1.4B 10‑year maintenance shortfall; council hears EV fee, ITS and bike network proposals
Summary
The Regional Transportation Commission told Reno council its maintenance study estimates roughly $1.4 billion needed over 10 years to meet regional maintenance goals. RTC proposed prioritizing preventative maintenance, piloting intelligent transportation systems and exploring local fees on electric/hybrid vehicles if state action stalls.
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) presented two studies to the Reno City Council on Nov. 12 that together outline a substantial challenge for regional road funding: a maintenance study identifying an estimated $1.4 billion regional shortfall over the next decade and an examination of declining fuel‑tax revenue driven partly by electrified and more efficient vehicles.
RTC Executive Director Bill (for the record) told council that preventative maintenance and strategic prioritization—keeping good roads in good condition rather than chasing failing pavements—should be central to county and regional planning. The RTC study analyzed snow plowing, potholes, crack sealing, striping and similar needs across local and regional networks.
On revenue adaptation, the Gwinn Center‑commissioned analysis showed electric and hybrid vehicles are about 5.5% of the fleet today and projected to grow materially (a cited state estimate suggested ~22% by 2035). RTC outlined legislative options (state‑level EV or per‑mile fees) and local options (a Board of County Commissioners supplemental government services tax or a voter‑authorized one‑eighth of one percent sales tax increase for transportation). The commission indicated it will explore pursuing a Washoe County EV fee if statewide progress stalls.
RTC also recommended expanding intelligent transportation system (ITS) investments—centralized signal control, fiber connections and corridor management—to increase effective capacity and congested‑period responsiveness. A pilot ITS deployment is planned for Virginia Street and North McCarran to manage special events and university traffic.
Dale Keller, RTC deputy director, summarized four visible projects in Reno: Arlington Avenue bridge reconstruction (on schedule, expected to wrap a second bridge early December), the Biggest Little Bike Network (a multi‑intersection downtown micromobility project with roughly $17 million planned), the West Fourth Street safety project (about $35.5 million from West McCarran into downtown), and Veterans Roundabout modifications (nearing completion with a ribbon cutting planned in December).
Council members pressed for clarity about local authority to impose new fees and were reminded most revenue options would require Board of County Commissioners action, voter approval or state legislative changes. Council also asked about a $6 million federal request for local road maintenance that had passed a congressional earmark step; RTC reported it had passed initial hurdles but awaited final federal appropriations decisions.
What’s next: RTC will continue outreach to county officials and the legislature, pilot ITS enhancements on the Virginia Street corridor, and return with implementation details and funding proposals for council consideration.
