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Council authorizes RTC to advance FY27 projects including O'Brien Pass and South Virginia Street BRT improvements
Summary
The council unanimously approved the FY27 interlocal cooperative agreement with the Regional Transportation Commission, moving multiple pavement-preservation, signal, active-transportation and major roadway projects (O'Brien Pass, Keystone Avenue safety, South Virginia/RTC BRT corridor) into design and future construction.
The Reno City Council unanimously approved the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) fiscal year 2027 interlocal cooperative agreement (ICA) during its Feb. 25 meeting, allowing the RTC to act as the city's agent to move prioritized projects into design and construction.
Assistant Director of Public Works Khalil Wilson and Dale Keller, deputy executive director for the RTC, outlined program categories (pavement preservation, signals/ITS, active transportation and roadway projects) and highlighted three major roadway investments included in the ICA: the O’Brien Pass Safety Project (estimated ~$20 million, construction anticipated 2029), the Keystone Avenue safety improvements (estimated ~$5.3 million, construction anticipated 2029) and South Virginia Street rehabilitation with BRT improvements (estimated ~$20 million, design in 2027, construction anticipated 2029).
The ICA also funds neighborhood active-transportation planning and quick‑build safety treatments in Sun Valley, Panther Valley, Meadowood and Hidden Valley. Councilmembers pressed staff on bus-stop improvements, connectivity in Smithridge, the Lakeside/McCarran intersection and roundabout work near Monterey Ranch High School; RTC representatives said related studies and bus-stop improvement programs are in progress.
Council voted to approve the ICA; the motion carried unanimously. Staff noted the ICA authorizes RTC to proceed with right‑of‑way acquisition if needed and clarifies rules and responsibilities for project delivery within the city's jurisdiction.
Next steps: Projects will progress from long‑range planning into programming, preliminary design and ultimately construction per the RTC schedule and funding availability. Council members asked staff and RTC to continue tracking specific local concerns (bus stop shelters, access in North Valleys) as projects move forward.
