Join us for Public Meeting #3 on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the McKinley Arts Center.
Current Project Phase:
NEPA and Final Design
The Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement Project is progressing toward construction. Environmental clearance and final design are currently underway, with permitting and agency coordination continuing throughout project development. RTC has selected the Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) delivery method, and Keystone Bridge Partners, a Granite-led joint venture with Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc., has joined the project team to help advance design, refine construction planning, and prepare for future construction.
Public Meeting Information
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County invites the community to learn and provide input toward the Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement project in-person on July 11, 2024, or virtually beginning July 10, 2024. The meeting will include information on the status of the feasibility study to replace the Keystone Avenue Bridge and improve multimodal connectivity/safety from California Avenue to West First Street. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input on the study.
Attend the open house at McKinley Arts Center on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 4 to 7pm, or view project meeting information and provide feedback anytime beginning July 10, 2024, through August 14, 2024. Please send us your questions and input by August 14, 2024.
This project is evaluating multimodal improvements on Keystone Avenue from California Avenue to First Street. You will learn about: project progress and status, proposed project alternatives for future study, feasibility study, and next steps. You will have the opportunity to provide valuable input on the proposed alternatives and features.
Subscribe for Updates and Meeting Alerts!
Project Description
The objective of the Keystone Bridge Replacement is to provide a structurally sound Keystone Avenue bridge over the Truckee River in Reno, Nevada, and improve mobility options in the corridor surrounding the bridge, approximately from California Avenue to West 1st Street. The initial phase and design for the replacement of the Keystone Bridge is federally funded by the Federal Bridge Formula Program (BFP). Additional funding will be required to cover improvement beyond the limits of bridge funding.
This project is led by the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC), in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), and the City of Reno, with the active participation of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and other key stakeholders.
The first phase of the project included a Feasibility Study and Conceptual Alternatives Analysis to evaluate rehabilitation or replacement of the bridge, as well as improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers around the bridge. This was completed in late 2024.
The project has since advanced into environmental review and final design. Future activities include completion of environmental clearance, regulatory permitting, right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination, and construction of the project.
History
The Keystone Avenue Bridge over the Truckee River in Reno, Nevada connects the large residential neighborhoods in west Reno to Downtown Reno and Interstate 80. The existing bridge roadway configuration is four lanes of traffic without pedestrian or bicycle facilities.
1966
The Keystone Avenue Bridge was constructed as part of an urban interchange between California Avenue and Jones Street
2012
NDOT Safety Engineering Division in coordination with RTC completed a Road Safety Audit (RSA) of Keystone Avenue from California Avenue to Fourth Street. The audit described the Keystone/California Avenue intersection as ‘confusing’ and not bicycle or pedestrian friendly. The tight turn from westbound California is not driver friendly. A study was recommended to determine if another intersection type such as, but not limited to, a roundabout can improve operations at the Keystone, Booth, and California Avenue intersection.
2014
RTC completed the Keystone Corridor Study that included extensive stakeholder and community engagement. The study identified deficiencies at the bridge and identified several issues at the Keystone/California intersection, including congestion, poor sight distance, and inadequate accommodation for bicycles, pedestrians, and ADA compliance. Six comprehensive alternatives were identified for the Keystone/California intersection, along with near-term pedestrian safety improvements. The study suggested long-term needs at the California and Jones Street intersections could be addressed during the bridge replacement project.
2019
Safety improvements identified in the Keystone Corridor Study were constructed at the California/Keystone Avenue intersection by RTC.
2022
The most recent inspection report of the Keystone Avenue Bridge, completed by the Nevada Department of Transportation documented severe deterioration of the bridge including the concrete and steel superstructure and reinforced concrete substructure. The bridge is safe, but in need of replacement to prevent further deterioration.
2024
Feasibility Phase to select the Proposed Alternatives was completed.
2025
Preliminary engineering toward the final design was started.
2028
Target date for construction.