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Veterans Parkway (Washoe County)

Started by Max Rockatansky, November 06, 2024, 07:43:29 AM

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Max Rockatansky

Veterans Parkway is an approximately nine-mile expressway corridor which links the city Sparks to southeast Reno.  The corridor begins at the intersection of Sparks Boulevard/Greg Street in Sparks and extends south to Nevada State Route 341 (Geiger Grade Road) in Reno.  Veterans Parkway was conceived as the SouthEast Connector in 1954 and was approved by Washoe County in 1964.  The corridor was shelved for several decades until being revisited during 2007-2010.  Phase II of the SouthEast Connector opened to traffic during July 2018 which made Veterans Parkway a fully functional arterial highway.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2024/11/veterans-parkway-washoe-county-nevada.html?m=1


PNWRoadgeek

That's a nice looking highway, though it makes sense as it was built quite recently. Never been on it before but it looks very scenic as it cuts through the Eastern part of the Reno area. Could be used as a shortcut to I-80 from 580 as well. Was this alignment ever explored for 580 by any chance?
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roadfro

Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on November 06, 2024, 08:32:46 PMWas this alignment ever explored for 580 by any chance?
Unlikely. Despite there being an anticipated need for this corridor decades ago, I think this was too far east of the major built-up areas of Reno/Sparks to be considered for I-580. The vast majority of north/south travel at the time was centered around Virginia Street (then US 395) and much of where Veterans Parkway now runs was farm/ranch land or open space in the 1960s and 1970s, so this wouldn't have made sense for a freeway corridor when I-580 was being planned.
Roadfro - AARoads Pacific Southwest moderator since 2010, Nevada roadgeek since 1983.

cl94

Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on November 06, 2024, 08:32:46 PMThat's a nice looking highway, though it makes sense as it was built quite recently. Never been on it before but it looks very scenic as it cuts through the Eastern part of the Reno area. Could be used as a shortcut to I-80 from 580 as well. Was this alignment ever explored for 580 by any chance?

Remember also that 580 has existed on paper for 50 years. The north-south freeway in Reno was always 580, it just didn't get shields until the Galena Creek Bridge opened.

Building on the development comment, anything south of the river and east of the airport is relatively recent, far more recent than 580 being planned and the first parts being constructed. The South Meadows/ Damonte area getting developed is within the last 25-30 years. Where the freeway currently runs was basically the east edge of development south of the river until the 70s. McCarran Blvd and its associated development didn't get built south of the river until the 80s.
Please note: All posts represent my personal opinions and do not represent those of my employer or any of its partner agencies.

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jdbx

Quote from: cl94 on November 07, 2024, 11:42:39 PM
Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on November 06, 2024, 08:32:46 PMThat's a nice looking highway, though it makes sense as it was built quite recently. Never been on it before but it looks very scenic as it cuts through the Eastern part of the Reno area. Could be used as a shortcut to I-80 from 580 as well. Was this alignment ever explored for 580 by any chance?

Remember also that 580 has existed on paper for 50 years. The north-south freeway in Reno was always 580, it just didn't get shields until the Galena Creek Bridge opened.

Building on the development comment, anything south of the river and east of the airport is relatively recent, far more recent than 580 being planned and the first parts being constructed. The South Meadows/ Damonte area getting developed is within the last 25-30 years. Where the freeway currently runs was basically the east edge of development south of the river until the 70s. McCarran Blvd and its associated development didn't get built south of the river until the 80s.

What is sorely needed at this point is a limited-access route between Sparks and Spanish Springs. Improvements to Pyramid Highway notwithstanding, it is a long slog up Sparks Blvd or Vista Blvd with all of those lights, making it frequently a 30 minute drive from areas closer to 80 and 580.



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