Douglas County Connectivity Plan to be unveiled

The Douglas County Economic Vitality team is working on Countywide Connectivity project and will present its work and vision at the February 5, 2015 Board of Commissioners meeting in Minden. This information will also be shared at the February 19, 2015 board meeting in Stateline.

The team started its work on the initiative last summer when the Board of County Commissioners added an action item to the County’s Strategic plan to “work in partnership with residents, businesses, public entities and stakeholders to develop multimodal transportation solutions for improved connectivity and economic development.”

The Countywide Connectivity Plan is the transportation blueprint designed to accomplish many of the projects incorporated in the County’s Master Plan and reaffirmed in the approved 2011 South Shore Vision and 2013 Valley Vision. It includes road and highway projects such as identifying an alternate truck route to remove the heavy truck traffic of Highway 395 out of Minden and Gardnerville and the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization project at Stateline. Shared-use paths such as Martin Slough Trail in Minden and Gardnerville, a Ranchos Connectivity path to connect the Gardnerville Ranchos to the new Community and Senior Center, the Pony Express Trail and the Stateline to Stateline Bikeway. Also included in the plan is regional transit, the potential for the return of the V&T railroad and a cross-lake passenger ferry for Lake Tahoe.

According to Economic Vitality Team Co-champions, Jacques and Dominique Etchegoyhen, an integrated system of good roads, recreational trails, and public transit with multi-modal hubs connecting Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley and the region is vital to achieving the County’s vision of better quality of life for residents, distinctive destinations that draw more visitors and vibrant business districts to catalyze investment.

“If the vision we present to enhance our quality of life is compelling, the next step is to evaluate viable local funding which is essential to move projects forward and garner state and federal grants and resources,” said Jacques Etchegoyen. “Without it, we are simply not competitive with other counties and our projects will not be prioritized to move forward.” The team will identify local funding options and ask the Board for direction to be given to staff to bring back potential funding sources needed for the project.

For further questions regarding the presentation please call the Douglas County Manager’s Office (775) 782-9821.