NDOT presents county consultation and accepts infrastructure work program; USA Parkway, I-80 projects updated

The Story County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 20 accepted the Nevada Department of Transportation—s county consultation and annual infrastructure work program after a presentation by NDOT Director Tracy Larkin Thomas and district staff.

NDOT staff reviewed the rural engagement cycle and One Nevada planning criteria and described local accomplishments including guardrail repairs, ditch reshaping at Virginia City Road and USA Parkway, temporary traffic signals installed at Waltham Way and USA Parkway, and a pavement preservation project on the north end of USA Parkway. Director Tracy Larkin Thomas told the board NDOT is "in the midst of hiring a rural county communications liaison" to improve local coordination and said the I-80 Innovation Way project—a progressive design-build contract awarded to Granite with consulting partner Realis—is moving into preconstruction: "current estimate is in the $525 million range." The board voted to accept NDOT—s program unanimously.

NDOT emphasized an upcoming USA Parkway operational and speed study, continued emphasis on access control and turn-lane improvements, and that preconstruction work including geotechnical borings will ramp up ahead of the 2027 construction start; the current grant terms require project completion by 2032. Commissioners discussed local traffic benefits, enforcement support via additional signage, and the need to keep close coordination between county and state engineers as growth and truck traffic rise in the Tri Center area.