RTC authorizes bids for Ruby Valley pit expansion to stockpile gravel for county roads

The Elko County Regional Transportation Commission voted to authorize staff to solicit bids for the 2026 Ruby Valley pit expansion project, which county staff said will produce and stockpile gravel for regraveling South Ruby Valley Road and other nearby forest-service roads.

"This is a project we've been working on for a couple of years, and the Forest Service has money set aside for us for this project," said Dennis Price, Elko County road superintendent. Price said the expansion would reopen and enlarge an old pit used in the 1990s and generate material both to regravel South Ruby Valley Road and to supply Harrison Pass and other nearby roads.

Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi moved to authorize staff to go out to bid for the project; Vice Chair Travis Gerber seconded the motion. The chair called for public comment, received none, and the commission voted to approve the motion. Commissioners noted the county may pay initial costs and be reimbursed under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.

The project description included mining gravel, stockpiling material for future road use and reimbursement terms under a cooperative agreement with the Forest Service. County staff said the pit work is intended to support both county and Forest Service road maintenance needs. The commission directed staff to proceed with the solicitation process; no public comments were recorded on the item.

Next steps: staff will prepare bid documents and proceed with solicitation consistent with the motion approved by the commission.