City OKs freeway agreement with 'wiggle room'

The Nevada Department of Transportation wasn't willing Thursday to remove all the "wiggle room" from a contract with Carson City for the second phase of the freeway, allowing the state leeway if it isn't finished by 2010.

But city and state transportation staff will work together to negotiate the contract deadlines.

"There's just too many unknowns," said Deputy Director Susan Martinovich. "The unknowns are truly out of NDOT's control."

City supervisors were concerned about wording in the contract that obligates the city to pay $15 million in gas tax towards the second half of the freeway project in exchange for solid completion deadlines. The wording says the state will "make every effort to" bid the freeway to Fairview Drive by February 2006 and finish it by 2010.

The city won't be obligated to pay its share until after the freeway is finished.

"It clearly is language that lets NDOT get out of this deal," said Supervisor Richard Staub. "What are we getting for our $15 million from NDOT?"

The city changed the contract Thursday to include "exert the utmost diligence in good faith" and wording about contractual stipulations, placing a more definite burden on the state to finish.

NDOT is willing to negotiate tighter language, but already foresees problems with rights-of-way, environmental issues, negotiations with tribal lands about visual impacts, availability of construction materials and the federal transportation bill, Martinovich said.

"Yes, we have some wiggle room," Martinovich said. But most of the delays with the first phase were changes the city presented, she said.

Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce endorsed the deal because the freeway needs to be completed, said Chief Executive Officer Larry Osborne.

"Do we like it? Of course not," he said. "We can't get around efficiently in this community. We have go to get this freeway done."

Supervisors approved the contract, to be sent for final approval by the state transportation board.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.