Staff Report
SPARKS – Drivers on Interstate 80 east of Sparks should plan for overnight lane reductions starting Sept. 7 and continuing through December as the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) prepares for a major widening project.
Crews will close single lanes on both eastbound and westbound I-80 between Vista Boulevard and the USA Parkway interchange. Westbound lanes will be reduced from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., while eastbound lanes will close from 7:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Lane closures will shift between sections of the interstate and could stretch up to two miles.
The overnight work is designed to minimize impact on the nearly 50,000 vehicles that travel the corridor daily, particularly commuters to and from the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center. NDOT is advising motorists to allow extra travel time and be prepared for delays.
The project has two immediate goals:
- Geotechnical soil surveys – Engineers will collect data on the steep slopes and rock formations along the corridor. The information will guide design work for widening I-80, which could begin as early as 2027. NDOT says widening the freeway is expected to reduce total crash rates by about 20 percent.
- Roadside litter removal – Five NDOT highway maintenance crews will also clean debris along the interstate. Officials remind drivers to properly secure their loads and note that fines can be issued for roadside littering.
Traffic on this stretch of I-80 has surged more than 70 percent in the past decade. The upcoming widening project between Vista Boulevard and USA Parkway is part of NDOT’s long-term effort to improve safety and keep pace with growth in the region.
For real-time updates, follow NDOT on social media: @nevadadot on all platforms, as well as @nevadadotreno, @nevadadotvegas, and @nevadadotelko on X.
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