NDOT moves to claim land to finish northern half of bypass

The Nevada Department of Transportation will move next week to take control of 82 acres of the Lompa Ranch so it can build the northern half of the Carson freeway, officials said Thursday.

The item was included in an amended Transportation Board agenda issued following Gov. Kenny Guinn's State of the State Address Tuesday. In his address, Guinn announced he intends to finish construction of the Carson freeway.

Guinn spokesman Greg Bortolin said the governor will discuss his desire to finish the project during Tuesday's meeting.

"When the governor said that he wants to finish the Carson City bypass, he means he wants to finish the bypass," Bortolin said. "It's the governor's intention to finish this project from one end to the other."

Department of Transportation Director Tom Stephens said the issue before the board Tuesday is to get the "right of entry" for the 82 acres needed for the project.

The transportation department filed documents in court to condemn the necessary land Sept. 29, but didn't seek an order permitting entry and use of the property. Stephens said the board will vote Tuesday so the state can move forward to complete the bypass from Arrowhead at the northern end of Carson City to Highway 50 East, as well as the bridge over Highway 50 East.

"That means we can get out to bid this year," Stephens said.

The funding is already in place for the $95 million northern half of the project. But funding has not yet been committed for the southern half. Stephens said that project is in design now and he didn't want to estimate what it will cost.

The governor in his State of the State Address said he wanted to commit a total of $524 million in bonds to the bypass, the widening of Highway 95 in Southern Nevada, the Henderson "spaghetti bowl" and I-580 between Reno and Carson City. Those projects together, however, will cost more than that.

Guinn is expected to discuss those priorities with the transportation board Tuesday.

IF YOU GO

Who: Nevada Transportation Board

When: 9 a.m. Tuesday

Where: Nevada Department of Transportation Building, 1263 S. Stewart St., Third Floor Conference Room