New freeway connecting Lake Tahoe to Reno opens Wednesday

The trip from Lake Tahoe to Reno just got a bit shorter as the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) opens the final three miles of the Interstate 580 Carson City Freeway project to traffic on Wednesday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Construction on this final, southern portion of the project began in 2015.

As part of a phased opening, the new freeway ramps between Fairview Drive at the northern end of the new Carson City Freeway will open later that afternoon or on August 3.

Motorists are reminded to drive attentively and anticipate minor lane and traffic pattern changes across the area as the new freeway segment opens. Periodic, minor roadside shoulder and lane closures will take place on South Carson Street and the Carson City Freeway for finishing construction.

The new freeway section was built with the following benefits in mind:

- Completion of I-580 from Reno to Carson City
- Connect Carson City, the state’s capital, to the Interstate System
- Decrease congestion
- Shorter commute times
- Improve safety
- Accommodate projected local traffic
- Meet stakeholder/public transportation expectations
- Reduce idling and vehicle emissions
- Beautify the corridor

Drainage channels with offsite storm water runoff and a detention basin and box culverts were part of the environmental benefits. Along the new route are also new sound walls with unique and artistic landscape features.