It's been drawing looks to the side of the mountain, teasing those of us who want to drive it, for years. Susan Martinovich of the Nevada Department of Transportation told us, "When I started with the department in 1984, this was one of the projects that was underway."
Opening day was originally scheduled for 2009. A glitch here, a contractor change there, and somehow the antique car the governor rode to drive it seemed fitting. But finally, the 6 lanes are almost ready to open. But not yet. Martinovich said, "The challenge is, this is still a lot of cleanup and we really need to make sure. We're not sure when it opens."
Governor Sandoval told us, "I get that question asked all the time. When does it open? In the next couple of weeks. It will be open in the month of August."
The governor and this project go way back. When he was attorney general in '03, he approved the funding to build it. He says it is worth the wait. "It's just on so many levels. Our economic development, it's really going to be a powerful engine in terms of attracting business to the state."
But that depends on where you're sitting, or driving. Reno and Carson City businesses should get a boost, but some along old Highway 395 expect to lose customers. Martinovich says those concerns are unfounded. "I don't think so. I think if people are going to go to those businesses, they will go. It will be easier to get in and out of those businesses."
It's also the most expensive single highway project in Nevada history, prompting some to ask, 'Did taxpayers really spend 550 million dollars, to get to Carson City or Reno 6 minutes faster? Martinovich responded, "But that's not the point! It's not about the time. We're connected with the interstate." Governor Sandoval's view? "It's the safety, it's the quality of life for the residents down there, it's giving these folks who do commute everyday more time at home with their children, with their families, so I think it's a win on many levels."
And there's one more for the plus column, and it's a big one. When it's finally finished and open, it will no doubt be the most scenic highway in Nevada. From the bridge you can see Reno there...Carson City over there...from what this reporter could see, the view is something else.
-written by John Potter
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I-580 Freeway Facts (from the Nevada Dept. of Transportation):
• 8.4 miles from the Mt. Rose Highway in south Reno to Washoe Valley.
• 9 bridges including the 1,722 foot Galena Creek Bridge
Bridges: Bowers Mansion interchange (311ft), Parker Ranch (117 ft), Browns Creek (521 ft), St. James Parkway (160 ft), Pleasant Valley (328 ft), Steamboat Hills (656 ft), Galena Forest (918 ft) and Mt. Rose interchange (349 ft)
• Once the freeway opens in the upcoming weeks, motorists will be driving on a six-lane (three lanes in each direction), 65-miles-per-hour, completely divided freeway.
• The four longest bridges have automated de-icers imbedded in each bridge deck that will spray a "salt brine solution" (potassium acetate) automatically when the temperature is 32 degrees or below.
• Current project cost is about $430 million.
• Total cost of the project including construction, right-of-way and design is about $575 million. 90 percent of the project was federally funding.
