Signs indicate 395 paving next year

The main route through Gardnerville and Minden has been on the books for repaving for years, having last been resurfaced in 2003.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Department of Transportation confirmed it will start advertising a construction contract this year for work in 2023.

Faced with trying to gather literally hundreds of rights of way to complete Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, the state has decided to split the project into two phases.

“The first phase will reconstruct the aging highway surface between Waterloo Lane and First Street,” Spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said. “This will allow NDOT to complete roadway reconstruction while additional right of way coordination for sidewalk and drainage improvements is completed.” 

The state is continuing to finalize hydraulics elements of the project design to enhance stormwater and roadside drainage, Ragonese said. Utility location has also taken place to identify depths of certain utilities in the project area.

“We continue to coordinate with utility providers and local governments to ensure that utility relocations and local drainage improvements effectively accommodate the future highway reconstruction,” she said.

The second phase will include sidewalk and accessibility improvements, as well as any remaining roadway drainage, signals, and lighting enhancements needed.

“The project involves major hydraulics upgrades in an area of multiple existing utility lines,” Ragonese said. “Hundreds of right-of-way permissions will need to be secured, including for slivers of property where sidewalk and drainage improvements will be made.

The construction schedule of phase 2 remains dependent upon securing right-of-way access to small sections of neighboring property, as well as relocation of multiple underground utilities.