Have Questions?
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of the Keystone Bridge Project?
- The purpose of this project is to address the deteriorated Keystone Bridge, provide safe and effective vehicular and active transportation passage over the Truckee River, provide safe and effective multimodal connectivity from California Avenue to First Street, and to accommodate future flood control modifications.
2. Why is a project needed?
- Improve safety and infrastructure state of good repair
The Keystone Avenue bridge over the Truckee River was built in 1966 and is ready for replacement. In 2022, an inspection by Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) gave the bridge a sufficiency rating of 35.4 out of 100, classifying it as structurally deficient and scour critical. This does not mean the bridge is going to fail, but indicates increased maintenance costs, more frequent inspection, and the potential for instability during a major flood event. - Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity
There are currently no pedestrian or bicycle facilities on the bridge. The Keystone Avenue Bridge and Booth Street Bridge are the only Truckee River crossings between McCarran Boulevard and Arlington Avenue.
3. What is the current phase of the project?
Preliminary engineering and environmental studies.
4. What are the objectives of the Feasibility Study?
Advance project alternatives through a collaborative screening process that meets federal requirements.
Document issues and opportunities to inform and streamline future NEPA processes.
Formulate a plan to build the new Keystone Avenue Bridge and to address multi-modal circulation surrounding the bridge.
5. What are the environmental considerations?
The Feasibility Study included Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) documentation. Information gathered during this planning phase has informed the environmental review process that is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The PEL process provided the NEPA study team with documentation on the outcomes of the alternatives analysis process, including stakeholder and community input, the history of decisions made, and the analysis undertaken.
6. How will an alternative be selected?
Starting with the project needs and goals, a range of alternatives were developed. A multi-step screening process was used to compare and reduce the number of alternatives. The project team used screening criteria to assess whether the alternatives meet the project needs Screening criteria included cost, constructability, maintainability, compatibility with flood management facilities and plans, safety, multimodal connectivity, environmental impacts, property impacts, and stakeholder support. Stakeholder and public input were part of this screening process.
7. What are the next steps after the Feasibility Study?
Once the Feasibility Study was completed, the project team began preliminary design for the proposed alternative. The preliminary design, in coordination with stakeholders, has provided a basis to complete environmental studies required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and begin the regulatory permitting process required to construct the project.
8. What will the new bridge look like?
Before bridge aesthetics are chosen, the project team will first assess alternatives for roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian connectivity. Once these facilities are established, feasible bridge types will be presented to the public. The community will have the opportunity to provide input on bridge type and bridge aesthetics through online surveys and community meetings.
9. What improvements will be made to Keystone Avenue and Booth Street?
The study will consider a variety of circulation options for Keystone Avenue and Booth Street within the project limits, considering mobility and flood mitigation needs. Improvements will be determined based on technical analysis and community input.
10. What is the project schedule?
The Feasibility Study was completed in late 2024. Through that time the RTC hosted two public meetings that included opportunities for the community to provide input. A 15 percent preliminary design was developed, and a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) report was completed. In 2025, Preliminary Engineering was advanced so that the project could be further studied within the NEPA process. The project is on a timeline to be designed through 2026, with regulatory permitting to be completed in 2027. Construction is anticipated to start in 2027 or 2028, depending on coordination with other adjacent projects.