Washoe County staff told the Gerlach Community Advisory Board that a Federal Highway Administration grant to rebuild the primary access road was secured and that the federal agency will perform the work, with local coordination and a planned start in 2029.

Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro said when the project was first planned a few years ago the per-mile cost estimate was roughly $1,000,000 but construction-cost inflation has pushed current per-mile estimates closer to $3,000,000, meaning the available funds will cover an estimated 8–10 miles out of town rather than the originally envisioned full extension to Hualapai Valley. "We're closer to $3,000,000 per mile now," Solaro said, and staff will seek to extend the work as far as the grant and available match money allow.

Solaro said the county worked to secure the grant for multiple years and emphasized safety and access to federal lands as driving reasons for pursuing the project. He said the county will coordinate communications with the community because construction will cause disruptions. The county confirmed there is match money committed to the project but did not provide a full funding breakdown at the meeting.

Board members asked whether the project would extend to gravel roads or how far the paving would go; Solaro replied the FHWA will do the actual construction and the county will work with the federal team to maximize project reach.

Next steps: county staff will provide more detailed project scope and schedule information as federal planning advances and will coordinate community communication ahead of construction.