Washoe Valley lane closures planned as crews install concrete barrier

Motorists in southern Washoe Valley will have to deal with more lane closures in the coming weeks as crews begin construction and installation of a concrete barrier rail.

The 42-inch high barrier rail will separate Alternative U.S. 395 that goes around the west side of the valley from the freeway. A Department of Transportation spokesman said the barrier will protect against potential crossover crashes as well as reduce the nighttime headlight glare along the stretch where the two roads are parallel to each other.

The barrier replaces the old green plastic glare screen that has since been removed.

The project is part of a nearly $15 million project by Q&D Construction of Sparks that includes major work on the Bellevue bridge as well as repaving the highway through the valley and extending the on ramp lane from Lakeview south into Carson City. It’s scheduled for completion in the fall of this year.