Walk the new freeway on Saturday

Here’s your chance to walk, run or bike a freeway.

The last leg of Interstate 580 scheduled to open in August will be open for pedestrian traffic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The Nevada Department of Transportation is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. near the south end of the new bypass, where it meets U.S. 50 West to Lake Tahoe.

NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon, Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell and Janice Brown, Federal Highway Administration’s Director of Field Services for western states, will be on hand to speak and commemorate the completion of the 10-mile Carson City freeway.

“The opening of the last leg of the I-580 freeway is a long-awaited turning point for the Carson City community and one which we have been anticipating and preparing for over several decades,” said Crowell. “First conceived in the 1960s, it has now become a reality. In addition to relieving traffic congestion generally and most notably on Fairview Drive, it will at long last allow our community the ability to showcase our city as the capital of the great state of Nevada and enhance the quality of life we so enjoy in Carson City.”

Randy Gaa from Muscle Powered, the group working to make Carson City safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, will give a brief safety talk.

The freeway runs from Lakeview in north Carson City to the U.S. 50 junction and cost more than $200 million to construct.

In December 2015, it was dedicated as the Carson City Deputy Sheriff Carl Howell Memorial Freeway in honor of the law enforcement officer who was killed in the line of duty.

Attendees can reach the event by driving southbound on I-580 and following the event signs. Parking will be available on the southbound side of the new road. The northbound side will be used for walking, running and biking.

Meg Ragonese, NDOT public information officer, said NDOT is expecting a large turnout so attendees should plan accordingly.

For information, visit www.ccfreeway.com or call 888-7000.