The downtown Reno skyline, looking west from U.S. 395, includes the distinctive Silver Legacy dome and several high rise towers, many of which are hotels and resorts associated with gambling and nightlife. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Overview
The city of Reno is the "Biggest Little City in the World." Reno had a population of 180,480 as of the 2000 Census and sits at an elevation of 4,505 feet above sea level. Reno is the seat of Washoe County. According to , the city of Reno was officially established on May 13, 1868. Reno was named after named after Civil War General Jesse Reno. Due to its position east of the Sierra Nevada and within the rainshadow, Reno only sees an average annual precipitation (rain and snow) of 7.48 inches, which is quite a bit less than seen in California's Central Valley on the west side of the same mountain chain. The downtown cityscape includes towering hotels and casinos. With gambling a huge part of the local economy, many travelers from Northern California visit Reno for the nightline, entertainment, gambling, and fine dining.
Companion city of Sparks meets Reno just east of U.S. 395. Known as the "City of Promise," Sparks sits at an elevation of 4,410 feet above sea level. The city incorporated on March 15, 1905. As of the 2000 Census, Sparks had a population of 66,346. Like Reno, Sparks saw growth due to the explosion in the gambling industry through the 20th century as well as its position along the Union Pacific Railroad. Sparks's lone high-rise casino is the Nugget (built 1984), located on the south side of the elevated Interstate 80 freeway in downtown Sparks. The Union Pacific Railroad switchyard sits on the south side of the freeway near the Nevada 445/Pyramid Way interchange. The city was named in 1904 for former Governor John Sparks at the turn of the 20th century; incorporation ensued in the following year.
This map (from 2002) generally shows the state highways of the Truckee Meadows region (Reno and Sparks). Interstate 80 and U.S. 395 are the primary freeway corridors. Several arterial routes are maintained by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), while others are city or county maintained. The urban area is belted by McCarran Boulevard, which carries the designation of Nevada 650 on the eastern half and Nevada 651 on the western half.
Interstate 80 is the major east-west route through the Truckee Meadows. Largely replacing U.S. 40 across Nevada, Interstate 80 carries a great deal of visitor and commuter traffic. The freeway enters the state of Nevada southwest of Verdi, then follows the Truckee River into Reno from the west. After passing through Reno and Sparks, Interstate 80 follows the Truckee River east toward Fernley and Lovelock.
U.S. 395 is the Three Flags Highway, which follows the Eastern Sierra from California into the Carson Valley, then proceeds past the state capital of Carson City, Washoe Lake, and Mt. Rose Junction before entering the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area. The portion of U.S. 395 will become Interstate 580 once the freeway is completed between Carson City and Reno. To the north, U.S. 395 travels back into California with connections to Susanville and Alturas.
Business Loop I-80 (state maintained segments are known as Nevada 647) follows Historic U.S. 40 along Fourth Street in Reno and Victorian Avenue in Sparks.
Business U.S. 395 follows the original route of U.S. 395 along Virginia Street through downtown Reno. As the Interstate 580 and U.S. 395 freeway is extended south, the business route and Nevada 430 may be extended south toward Washoe Lake.
Nevada 650 forms the eastern half of an at-grade boulevard (McCarran Boulevard) that loops around the cities of Reno and Sparks. The western half of McCarran Boulevard is designated as Nevada 651, with the numerical designation changing at the U.S. 395 and Interstate 580 interchanges. Most of the southern half of the loop is locally maintained, while the northern half is state maintained as part of Nevada 650 and Nevada 651.
Nevada 651 forms the western half of an at-grade boulevard (McCarran Boulevard) that loops around the cities of Reno and Sparks. The eastern half of McCarran Boulevard is designated as Nevada 650, with the numerical designation changing at the U.S. 395 and Interstate 580 interchanges. Most of the southern half of the loop is locally maintained, while the northern half is state maintained as part of Nevada 650 and Nevada 651.
Nevada 667 is Kietzke Lane through Reno and Sparks. Kietzke Lane parallels U.S. 395, then turns east at the Truckee River to meet Interstate 80 and Business Loop I-80/Victorian Avenue in Sparks.
Nevada 443
Junction Nevada 443 to Sun Valley in Reno-Sparks. Photo taken by Mike Ballard, 8/99.
Nevada 445
Nevada 445 begins its northbound journey on Nugget Avenue in Sparks near the Nugget Hotel and Casino. The first right turn is a ramp onto Interstate 80 east to Elko and Salt Lake City. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The left two lanes of Nevada 443 north will connect to Interstate 80 west to Reno, while the right two lanes carry Nevada 445/Pyramid Way north en route to Pyramid Lake, Gerlach, and the Black Rock Desert. Photo taken 07/23/09.
The interchange between Nevada 445 and Interstate 80 is a single-point urban interchange (SPUI). Photo taken 07/23/09.
Nevada 664/Oddie Boulevard
This white milemarker (for inventory purposes) shows the former designation of Nevada 32A rather than the current Nevada 664 designation. This post was located on Oddie Boulevard in Sparks but has since been replaced. Photo taken by Mike Ballard in 8/99.
Nevada 653/Plumb Lane east
Nevada 653 follows Plumb Lane from Business U.S. 395 and Nevada 430/Virginia Street east to Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The entire route between these endpoints, including the Interstate 580 and U.S. 395 interchange is state maintained. Here, eastbound Nevada 653 meets Locust Street for shopping mall access on both the north and south sides of the street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Nevada 653 meets Kirman Avenue about a block east of the Locust Street intersection. Photo taken 07/23/09.
At the intersection with Kietzke Lane (Nevada 667), a Nevada 667 trailblazer shield is posted on eastbound Nevada 653/Plumb Lane. Continue straight ahead for Interstate 580 and Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Nevada 653/Plumb Lane approaches the interchange with Interstate 580 and U.S. 395. The right lane connects to U.S. 395 south to Carson City and Minden, while the left two lanes connect to Interstate 580 and U.S. 395 north to Sparks, downtown Reno, and Susanville. Photo taken 07/23/09.
A freeway entrance shield for U.S. 395 south is posted at the next right turn. Continue straight on eastbound Plumb Lane (Nevada 653) for the entrance to Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Commercial Row
Next to Commercial Row is a major redevelopment project that saw the shift of Union Pacific Railroad tracks underground into a trench in 2005. Called the Reno Transportation Rail Access Corridor (ReTRAC) Project, the area formerly occupied by the tracks is now an open space for public uses. This block is located between Sierra Street and Virginia Street next to the former Fitzgeralds Casino and Hotel, which opened in 1976 and closed in 2008. Photos taken 07/21/09.
Lake Street
Passing through an intersection with First Street, southbound Lake Street crosses the Truckee River. At the south bank of the river is an older Reno arch that spans over the street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
This arch, which states "Reno - The Biggest Little City in the World" just like the modern one on Virginia Street, was first erected in 1926 in honor of the Nevada Transcontinental Highways Exposition of Summer 1927. This exposition celebrated the completion of U.S. 40, the Victory Highway, and U.S. 50, the Lincoln Highway. The arch was reconfigured after the event was over, and in 1935 this arch took its current form. It was moved off Virginia Street in 1963 and found its way to the current location on Lake Street in 1995 near the National Automobile Museum and the Siena Hotel Casino. To see the modern Reno arch, see Business U.S. 395/Virginia Street. For much more on the history of the Reno arches, visit New to Reno: The Reno Arch. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Shortly thereafter, southbound Lake Street meets Mill Street. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Nugget Avenue
Sparks's lone high-rise casino is the Nugget (built 1984), located on the south side of the elevated Interstate 80 freeway in downtown Sparks. The Union Pacific Railroad switchyard sits on the south side of the freeway. This view looks east on Nugget Avenue between the hotel and the railroad tracks. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Eastbound Nugget Avenue meets Nevada 445/Pyramid Way, which travels north to Pyramid Lake, Gerlach, and the Black Rock Desert. Photo taken 07/23/09.
Truckee River Bridges
The Reno River Walk is named in honor of Raymond I. Smith; this trellis is found on the south bank. Photo taken 07/21/09.
An elaborate network of decorative ramps, railings, and kiosks line the south side of the Truckee River through downtown Reno. The Virginia Street bridge is visible in the background. Along the south side of the river are several water features (fountains). Photos taken 07/21/09.
This view looks east from the Business U.S. 395 (Nevada 430)/Virginia Street bridge to the Center Street bridge over the Truckee River in downtown Reno. Photo taken 07/21/09.
The 1905 Virginia Street bridge over the Truckee River is a double-concrete arch bridge; this view looks east from the Sierra Street bridge. This bridge carries Business U.S. 395 and Nevada 430 over the river. Plans call for replacement of the Virginia Street bridge (along with the Sierra Street and Lake Street bridges over the Truckee River) in the 2010s as part of the the Truckee River Flood Project due to flooding issues in downtown Reno (a devastating flood struck the area in 1997). For more on the Virginia Street Bridge including history and bridge replacement proposals, see City of Reno webpage and On-Line Nevada. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Looking south from the north bank of the Truckee River at the Sierra Street crossing, old bridge railing lines the River Walk, protecting pedestrians from the river channel. Photo taken 07/21/09.
The Reno River Walk offers dining and shopping along the north and south sides of the Truckee River in downtown Reno. Looking west from the Sierra Street crossing of the Truckee River, an antique street light illuminates the intersection of the River Walk with Sierra Street (former Alternate U.S. 395). Photo taken 07/21/09.
Southbound Sierra Street (former Alternate U.S. 395) crosses the Truckee River. Sierra Street is one-way southbound over the river. Like the nearby Virginia Street and Lake Street bridges, this bridge is programmed for removal and replacement as part of the Truckee River Flood Project. Photos taken 07/21/09.
Looking east on the Reno River Walk toward the Sierra Street bridge, the Truckee River has a walled flood control channel as it passes through downtown Reno. Photo taken 07/21/09.
From Sierra Street west to Arlington Avenue, the river passes through Wingfield Park and sees plenty of floaters and rafters in the water. Photos taken 07/21/09.
Swimmers and floaters about to use the Truckee River are warned of possible risks and perils within the swift moving waterway. This sign is found in Wingfield Park. Photo taken 07/21/09.
A rose-colored pedestrian bridge crosses the main channel of the Truckee River west of Sierra Street between the north bank and Wingfield Park, a large turfed park located on an island in the river. Photo taken 07/21/09.
From the pedestrian bridge is this view looking east along the Truckee River channel. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Arlington Avenue crosses the Truckee River in Wingfield Park; this view looks northeast at the bridge from pedestrian walkway in the park. Photo taken 07/21/09.
West of Arlington Avenue, the Truckee River widens out to a more natural channel as compared to that seen in downtown Reno. Photo taken 07/21/09.
