Looking west from U.S. 395 in the morning, downtown Reno dominates the view including the Silver Legacy dome. This view looks west from U.S. 395 and takes in a panorama of the Union Pacific Railroad, Wells Avenue overpass, and the Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street corridor. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Interstate 80 Business Loops
Each of the business routes along Interstate 80 in Nevada are former alignments of U.S. 40. Many of these business routes are also state highways, but not all of them are fully state maintained.
Nevada 647 (Business Loop I-80)/Fourth Street east (Reno)
Upon departing Interstate 80 at Exit 8, Nevada 647/West Fourth Street begins its journey along Old U.S. 40. Initially the highway stays rural along the Truckee River, but it will quickly enter the urban craze of downtown Reno. Photo taken 07/23/09.
At the end of the offramp from Interstate 80, a BEGIN Nevada 647 route marker assembly is posted along West Fourth Street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
This series of photos follows Nevada 647 (Old U.S. 40) along West Fourth Street between Interstate 80 and Nevada 651/West McCarran Boulevard. The highway stays close to both the Union Pacific Railroad and Truckee River. Photos taken 07/18/09.
Eastbound Nevada 647 (Old U.S. 40)/West Fourth Street approaches Nevada 651/McCarran Boulevard. A milepost marking the end of the state-maintained section of West Fourth Street is posted near the traffic signal. Photos taken 07/18/09.
U.S. 40/Fourth Street east (Reno)
Leaving the McCarran Boulevard (Nevada 651) intersection, storm clouds gathered over Reno. U.S. 40/West Fourth Street. The downtown skyline of Reno comes into view. Photo taken 07/23/09.
A brief expressway segment begins prior to Keystone Avenue. On the north side of the highway is Mountain View Cemetery. However, it is not long before Fourth Street enters the urban area of the city of Reno and reduces the speed limit. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound U.S. 40/West Fourth Street meets Stoker Avenue at the first traffic signal since the Nevada 651/McCarran Boulevard West intersection. By now, U.S. 40 is fully within the city of Reno. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The next traffic signal along eastbound U.S. 40/West Fourth Street is with Keystone Avenue. At this intersection, West Fourth Street gains the Business Loop I-80 designation; the business route stays on Fourth Street into downtown Reno. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Business Loop I-80 (Nevada 647)/Fourth Street east (Reno)
A colorful sign for the Gold-n-Silver Inn is found on the southeast corner of the intersection between Business Loop I-80/West Fourth Street and Vine Street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The Sands Regency Hotel Casino sits at the southeastern corner of the intersection between Business Loop I-80/West Fourth Street and Nevada Street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street (U.S. 40) approaches West Street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The next intersection along eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street is with Sierra Street (which briefly served as Alternate U.S. 395 prior to the construction of U.S. 395/North-South Freeway). Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80 (U.S. 40)/Fourth Street meets Business U.S. 395/Virginia Street at the next intersection. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The next signalized intersection along eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street is with Center Street. An Interstate 80 trailblazer shield is posted on the traffic signal pole. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street meets Lake Street at the next intersection. Turn right here to see an older Reno arch. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Leaving downtown Reno, eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street approaches Valley Road at the next traffic signal. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street passes under the Wells Avenue viaduct, which was built in the 1980s. The viaduct enables traffic to move north-south quickly by bypassing the railroad, Fourth Street, and Truckee River. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Strip malls and businesses line Fourth Street as we proceed east. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street meets Sutro Street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
A Business Loop I-80 reassurance shield is found on eastbound Fourth Street at the intersection with Montello Street near the Ponderosa Lodge. This old shield probably dates to when U.S. 40 was first converted into Business Loop 80. Photos taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street meets Sixth Street west (left turn) and Sage Street south (right turn). Photo taken 07/23/09.
Old neon motel marquees line Old U.S. 40, owing to its heritage as the original route into Reno. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Another older motel with a neon marquee found along the business route. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The next overpass carries U.S. 395 and Interstate 580/North-South Freeway over Old U.S. 40. Photo taken 07/23/09.
There is no direct access from Old U.S. 40 to U.S. 395 at this point, but there is a ramp to U.S. 395 via Nevada 667/Kietzke Lane south in Sparks. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80 and Old U.S. 40 (Fourth Street) approaches Tacchino Street in the area between U.S. 395 overpass and Interstate 80 interchange. After this interchange, Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 40 leave Reno and enter the city of Sparks. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Business Loop I-80 (Nevada 647)/Victorian Avenue east (Sparks)
Continuing east, eastbound U.S. 40 and Business Loop 80 approach Galleti Drive and an interchange with Interstate 80. Some of the trailblazer shields posted here are very old, likely dating to the original construction of Interstate 80 through Reno and Sparks. Photo taken 07/23/09.
A ramp connects Business Loop 80 east with Interstate 80 east (right turn). The next left is for Interstate 80 west. Photos taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80 (U.S. 40)/Victorian Avenue crosses under Interstate 80. To U.S. 395, follow Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue east to Nevada 667/Kietzke Lane south to Interstate 80 west. There is no access to U.S. 395 by using the Interstate 80 west onramp here. Photos taken 07/23/09 and 07/18/09.
Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue passes under Interstate 80. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Another U.S. 395 trailblazer is posted shortly thereafter. Ahead, Victorian Avenue will split, with Prater Way splitting to the left, Victorian Avenue continuing to the right, El Rancho Drive turning north, and Nevada 667/Kietzke Lane turning south. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Eastbound Victorian Avenue splits, with Nevada 646/Prater Way splitting to the left, Business 80 and U.S. 40/Victorian Avenue continuing to the right, El Rancho Drive turning north, and Nevada 667/Kietzke Lane turning south. Photo taken 07/23/09.
After the split between Prater Way (left) and Victorian Avenue (right) but prior to the intersection with Nevada 667/Kietzke Lane south and El Rancho Drive north, a Business Loop I-80 shield is posted next to a Motel 6 on eastbound Victorian Avenue. Photos taken 07/18/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue next meets Nevada 667/Kietzke Lane south. Turn here for the onramp to U.S. 395 north to Susanville and south to Carson City. Photo taken 07/23/09.
At the intersection between Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue and Nevada 667/Kietzke Lane is an NDOT reference marker for the northern terminus of Nevada 667. Photo taken 07/23/09.
A streetscape project created a landscaped median along Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue near the Rail City casino. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue meets 22nd Street at this intersection. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The next traffic signal along Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue east is with 21st Street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Old and new business line both sides of Victorian Avenue as we enter approach downtown Sparks. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue meets Nevada 668/Rock Boulevard at this intersection. Photo taken 07/23/09.
At the next intersection with 15th Street, the left lane of eastbound Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue connects to C Street, while the right lane continues east on Victorian Avenue. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Entering Victorian Square, the left lane turns onto 15th Street north with a connection C Street east. Parking for Victorian Square is best reached via C Street east, which becomes Avenue of the Oaks upon entering the central area. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Access is also available for a right turn onto 15th Street south to A Street west and additional parking. Victorian Avenue continues east, this time much closer to the freeway. The lone high rise casino-hotel in Sparks comes into view: The Nugget. Photo taken 07/23/09.
A Lincoln Highway trailblazer is posted in the median of Victorian Avenue, which has landscaped medians and parkways through downtown Sparks and Victorian Square. The business route will skirt the square to the south. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The next intersection along eastbound Victorian Avenue is with Victorian Plaza Center. Turn right to the Nugget or left to the square. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Business Loop I-80 (Nevada 647)/Victorian Avenue west (Sparks)
Westbound at the Exit 19 ramp departure for Business Loop Interstate 80 (Victorian Avenue) and McCarran Boulevard (Nevada 650). McCarran Boulevard comprises a busy surface arterial throughout the vicinity of the Interstate 80 interchange. Travel services and shopping centers lie along the busy corridor. Business Loop Interstate 80 parallels the freeway closely through to Exit 18 (Nevada 445). Photos taken 09/09/05.
As Business Loop I-80 (U.S. 40)/Victorian Avenue approaches Nevada 445/Pyramid Way in the city of Sparks, this very old Interstate 80 trailblazer points the way to the freeway. Photos taken 07/19/09.
Westbound Business Loop I-80 (U.S. 40)/Victorian Avenue approaches Junction Nevada 445/Pyramid Way north to Gerlach (right turn) or south to Interstate 80 and Nugget Street (south frontage road). Photos taken 07/19/09.
This view looks at the signage on southbound Nevada 445/Pyramid Way as seen from westbound Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue as well as the state-named freeway entrance route marker posted on the ramp from Pyramid Way to Interstate 80 west. Photos taken 07/19/09.
This odd "Business Route I-80" west reassurance shield is posted on Victorian Avenue between 21st Street and 22nd Street just a few blocks before Prater Way merges with Victorian Avenue in Sparks. Photos taken 07/19/09.
Business Loop I-80 (Nevada 647)/Fourth Street west (Reno)
After Prater Way and Victorian Avenue merge together, Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 40 enter the city of Reno and shift onto Fourth Street. Here, U.S. 40 passes under the U.S. 395 and Interstate 580 overpass near the Reno Spaghetti Junction. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Although there appear to be no Historic U.S. 40 shields along Business Loop I-80 in Reno, there is the historic Hi-Way 40 Motel on the south side of Fourth Street east of downtown. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Westbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 40/Fourth Street approaches Sixth Street at this traffic signal. Sixth Street turns north and then west to parallel Fourth Street between here and downtown. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Decorative street lighting appears on both sides of Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 40/Fourth Street as we pass Montello Street. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A few blocks ahead, westbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 40/Fourth Street meet Sutro Street at this signalized intersection. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The Super 8 Motel on the north side of Fourth Street features a skewered "eight." Photo taken 07/19/09.
Westbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 40/Fourth Street passes under Wells Avenue. To Wells Avenue, use Spokane Street or Morrill Avenue north to Sixth Street west. A signalized intersection between Sixth Street and Wells Avenue allows for all directions of travel. Use Wells Avenue north to the Washoe County Fairgrounds or south over the Truckee River to Second Street. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A Business Loop I-80 reassurance shield is posted on westbound Fourth Street between Elko Avenue and Valley Road. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next traffic signal along westbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street is with Valley Road, which travels north under Interstate 80 to the University of Nevada at Reno. Photo taken 07/19/09.
As we continue west on Business Loop I-80 the buildings gradually get taller and taller as downtown Reno gets closer and closer. The next intersection is with Evans Avenue. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Westbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street meets Lake Street at this traffic signal. Turn south on Lake Street to cross the Truckee River and see an older "World's Biggest Little City" arch. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Two of Northern Nevada's largest casino-hotels come into view along westbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street at Center Street: El Dorado and Silver Legacy. Turn left here to follow Center Street south to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts (located between Center Street and Virginia Street south of the Truckee River and north of State Street). Photo taken 07/19/09.
This faded, state-name Interstate 80 trailblazer shield is mounted on the traffic signal mast along northbound Center Street at the intersection with Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street in downtown Reno. Center Street, Virginia Street, and Sierra Street northbound all connect to both directions of Interstate 80 due to the use of frontage roads and a cut and cover tunnel over the freeway. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The main entrances to El Dorado and Silver Legacy are found on the northwest and southwest corners of the intersection between Fourth Street and Virginia Street. This is the center of downtown Reno and is the former intersection of U.S. 40 and U.S. 395. Today it is the intersection of Business U.S. 395 (Nevada 430) and Business Loop I-80 (Historic U.S. 40 and Nevada 647). A skybridge links the two casinos. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street (Historic U.S. 40 and Nevada 647) meets Sierra Avenue one block further west. Sierra Avenue closely parallels Virginia Street through downtown, and it was designated as Alternate U.S. 395 for a time before the North-South Freeway was built. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next intersection along westbound Fourth Street is with West Street, near the Bonanza Inn. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street (Historic U.S. 40 and Nevada 647) meets Arlington Avenue near the Sands Regency hotel at this traffic signal as Fourth Street begins to move out of downtown Reno. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Proceeding east two blocks, eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street (Historic U.S. 40) approaches Ralston Street. Photo taken 07/19/09.
At Vine Street, eastbound Business Loop I-80/Fourth Street curves a bit to the southeast. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Meeting Keystone Avenue, Business Loop I-80 is assumed to leave Fourth Street and turn north on Keystone Avenue to rejoin Interstate 80. However, there are no signs indicating that change at this intersection. Besides, business route traffic could continue west on Historic U.S. 40/Fourth Street past Keystone Avenue to rejoin Interstate 80 near Mogul if desired. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Historic U.S. 40 (Business Loop I-80)/Fourth Street west (Reno)
Westbound Historic U.S. 40/Fourth Street meets Stoker Avenue. On the right (north) side of the highway is Mountain View Cemetery. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A brief expressway segment of Historic U.S. 40/Fourth Street is found west of Keystone Avenue. The expressway follows the railroad and Truckee River out of town. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Historic U.S. 40/Fourth Street narrows to two lanes. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Westbound Historic U.S. 40/Fourth Street leaves the city of Reno and approaches Junction Nevada 651/West McCarran Boulevard. Turn right to follow Nevada 651 north to Interstate 80 and eventually U.S. 395. Turn left to follow locally maintained West McCarran Boulevard south. McCarran Boulevard is a loop around the cities of Reno and Sparks. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Nevada 647 (Business Loop I-80 and Historic U.S. 40)/Fourth Street west (Reno)
After the intersection with Nevada 651, westbound Fourth Street once again becomes part of Nevada 647. The state maintains Fourth Street from McCarran Boulevard west to the Mogul interchange. Photo taken 07/19/09.
An Interstate 80 Nevada trailblazer shield is posted along westbound Fourth Street between West McCarran Boulevard and Mogul. Fourth Street will merge directly onto the freeway in a few miles. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The cityscape diminishes as Fourth Street continues alongside the railroad and Truckee River toward Mogul and Verdi. Upon reaching Mogul, old U.S. 40 will merge onto Interstate 80 west before splitting again in Verdi. Photos taken 07/19/09.
Nevada 647/Fourth Street approaches Interstate 80. There is no access onto Interstate 80 east; all traffic is defaulted onto Interstate 80 west to Verdi and California. Photo taken 07/19/09.
After passing under the mainline freeway, turn right prior to the freeway entrance to connect with West Fourth Street into Mogul. Merge onto the freeway for Verdi and Sacramento. Photos taken 07/19/09.
Nevada 647 ends as the state route transitions from West Fourth Street (old U.S. 40) onto Interstate 80 west at Mogul. Through traffic to Verdi and Truckee should follow Interstate 80 east to Exit 5, where another alignment of historic U.S. 40 (now Business Loop I-80 and Nevada 425) travels into Verdi. Photos taken 07/19/09.
