Link Saga

Tahoe Pyramid Link Chronology

1963- Planners initiated a conceptual design of a connector between the two lakes that would be attractive and efficient roadway for tourists and residents alike.

1970- Entities adopted Truckee Meadows Urban Transportation Study which shows link from Mt. Rose Highway to Pyramid Highway within east side of Truckee Meadows.

1980- Regional Planning Commission adopted Master Plan of Streets and Highway that included link between Mt. Rose Hwy to Pyramid Highway.

1982- RTC initiated a study (SEA Engineering recommendation) of the best alternatives for a route.

1983- RTC approved a  route that would have run along the eastern edge of what is now the Rosewood Lakes Golf Course: “1983 alignment”.

1984-1991 - All entities approve of the route. Meanwhile Reno agrees to build Rosewood Lakes Municipal Golf Course on city-owned property. Mitigated wetlands from the Airport Authority are also planned for the area. Reno also approves the Brookside Lakes Subdivision and its successor, Rosewood Lakes. Tentative maps submitted by Taylor Woodrow and Dermody Properties for housing developments along the west and east side of the proposed course show the alignment. In 1991, the golf course opens and the first Regional Plan is adopted wherein the link is cited.

1993-1995- RTC switches gears, so to speak, and draws another alignment: the McCarran-Mira Loma Drive link.  In 1995, RTC formulates the 2015 Transportation Plan and adopts this link.

1996- RTC reviews the “adopted alignment” and presents three additional options in preliminary discussions with the Hidden Valley and Rosewood Lakes communities in November. On December 17^th, both communities unite as a coalition protesting the resulting impacts of all four options that would result in a high-speed (45-55mph) arterial with limited access to the area.

1997- Because of the anticipated mass attendance, the December 20^th RTC meeting was postponed twice until January 30^th wherein three options were discarded except for the remaining adopted alignment. A citizens’ task force was formed to iron out the differences and present alternative solutions. Eleven alternatives were presented, including the newly proposed Storey County route. Cost analyses and community and environmental impacts were discussed in detail.

The “H Alignment”(through the Regional Park) estimated cost was $114 million, 6 homes taken; open space and parklands dissected as well.

The “I Alternative” (1983 alignment) estimated cost was $97 million, 6 homes taken, 9 holes eliminated from the golf course, and wetlands impacted, too

The two versions of the Storey County Route (Lockwood, Sparks) estimated cost was over $132 million.  If utilized, the latter option would force the widening of some streets (Longley, McCarran) to 10-14 lanes.

To complicate matters, the taskforce was abandoned in April and on June 24th, the Reno City Council rejected the alignments that would impact the Rosewood Lakes area, directing staff to draft a resolution. At the July 9^th RTC meeting, with over 1000 attendees, a computer-enhanced image showing the devastation to the park and hillsides was presented as well as numerous testimony from individuals and organizations; including a letter of support from the Nevada delegation as well as a letter from Proctor Hug of Storey County Properties offering to donate a lengthy segment of land for ROW to the proposed Storey County route.  The RTC voted 3-2 for the “ I “route (the 1983 alignment). Subsequently, the city of Reno rejected the alignment via their resolution.

2000- In November, a $38 million bond sale was voter approved for new library and parks.

The FHA required  a 20yr span for all transportation plans. Rather than changing their 2015 plan  to 2020, the RTC projects out to 2030. And, so it begins again.

2001- The 32-member citizen committee deliberated over the numerous alignments for the 4 main quadrants of the Truckee Meadows. In their report, Scan of Community and Environmental Effects, dated December 20, 2000, Parsons, Brinkerhoff, Quade and Douglas, Inc, in association with Fehr and Peers Associates, Inc. provide an encompassing review of the alternatives.

With regard to the 8 proposed Southeast Connectors (TPL), the consultants observed the following:” floodplain areas and wetlands would be impacted requiring a federal review. Seventeen acres (9 holes of golf course) would be affected; soils subject to liquefaction during earthquakes; area north and south of Truckee River sensitive to bald eagle; single family residential area impacted (Hidden Valley, Rosewood Lakes, Hidden Meadows, Sharon Hills development); noise and vibration; highly visible road cuts; 4(f) federal review process when parklands are affected; area sensitive to Northwestern Pond Turtle.” As for historical significance, it has been argued that the Overland Emigrant Trail may have followed a route close to “the base of the Virginia Range around what is now the Reno/Sparks Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant and Hidden Valley,” according to the Park District 3A and 3B Master Plan. Also, the route through the Park would be in nonconformance with the Regional Plan since it is clearly designated as a regional park within the Open Space Program.

State Senators Randolph Townsend and Maurice Washington, Assemblypersons Sharron Angle and Dave Humke, SETMCAB and SWTMCAB, Protect Our Washoe, South Hills Homeowners Association, some residents from Callahan Ranch area  and other organizations endorsed the petition asking that no regional roadway negatively impact established neighborhoods, regional parks, wetlands and designated open spaces. In a letter dated February 5^th, Proctor Hug, of Storey County Properties writes another letter reaffirming their offer to donate the ROW along his property for the Storey County route.

Estimated cost of the “Foothill Alignment” (through regional park) was approx. $50 million. Estimated cost of the “Steamboat Alignments (through wetlands) was approx. $55 million; for Storey County, roughly $70 million.

The committee voted for the Storey County alternative as the preferred Southeast Connector. On August 14^th, the BCC unanimously voted in the Policy Guidelines for Proposed Transportation Systems within Washoe County Parks and Open Space Areas presented by Washoe County Parks Director Karen Mullen. Basically, the environmental process reflects the federal environmental review previously mentioned by the consultants.

On August 17^th, the draft plan was presented as follows: Some additional congestion is inevitable; widening is preferred to building more roads; HOV lanes on US 395; increase modal share to 6% for alternate modes of transit; transit corridors with BRT; signal coordination; infill development along TOD corridors; major arterials capped at 6 lanes-freeways at 8 lanes; trip reduction program; 13 grade separated intersections along McCarran; inclusion of the  Storey County Route.

The RTC voted 3-2 to adopt the 2030 Transportation Plan as presented, with the following amendment: Level of Service will not be lowered; that a north-south alignment be reviewed; and that if other bypasses are needed to maintain the LOS then they remain under consideration. A Blue Ribbon Taskforce would need to be discussed at a later date. (Minutes of August 17, 2001 meeting)

That September, the Storey County Commission and Storey County RTC rejected the Storey County Alignment at Mustang.

2002- Blue Ribbon Committee of business and community leaders is formed to address the $816 million shortfall of the plan. As a result, advisory question, WC-2, is formulated for voter approval in November and passes by 57% majority vote. As a result, fuel tax and Regional Road Impact Fees were indexed to inflation and there was an  /8 cent sales tax increase (used 50/50 for new roads and public transit) “ to alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, to repair and maintain roads, and increase public transportation in the Truckee Meadows.”

2004- On January 21, the RTC established 4 main policies as groundwork for the scheduled update of the 2030 Transportation Plan:

l. Maintain acceptable LOS standards

2. Need for a north-south connector to the city of Sparks.

3. Keep on the table connectors that would maintain acceptable LOS 4. Maintain high goal of 6% for alternate modes of travel.

On February 5^th, the Update Steering Committee held its first of many scheduled meetings regarding the update. RTC staff has painstakingly presented volumes of information regarding their directional policies in fulfilling not only the 5 main goals of the Regional Transportation Plan  but also the 7 factors the Federal Government requires them to consider in their planning process.  With regard to congestion, Level of Service standards are generally established thusly: Inside McCarran loop, all freeways and ramps -LOS D; On McCarran-LOS E; Outside McCarran loop-LOS C. Also, all signalized intersections will be at their LOS by 2012 and maintained thereafter. Deficiencies on certain roadways prompt the use of   Innovative Transportation System Management/Demand Management techniques (traffic signal timing and coordination, HOV lanes, BRT on TOD corridors and emerging employment centers). Recent discussions include those new roadways that would help alleviate congestion, improve air quality and safety.

On March 23^rd, the BCC directed staff to set up talks between Storey and Washoe Counties regarding an acceptable Storey County route. To date, there has been no meeting of the two counties.

On July 13^th, the BCC unanimously approved an advisory question for the November ballot regarding a 1/8cent sales tax hike for: open spaces, trails, parks and natural and historical resources. Roughly $7.5 million would be raised yearly. 

Compiled by Laura Carman

Sources:

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