Nevada: Lemmon Drive Traffic Improvements & Resiliency Project

A Flood-Prone Roadway Sings its Swan Song  

Challenge: Several years ago, Swan Lake in Washoe County north of Reno, Nev. flooded its banks leaving homes, roads, and other critical infrastructure underwater. Streets were impassible for weeks and one road closed for a year. Lemmon Drive, which runs along the lake’s edge, was one of those affected. With a growing population, this area can’t afford to be cut off again.  

Solution: With help from the federal infrastructure investment law, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County in collaboration with regional partners, stakeholders, and the community, is leading an initiative to design and reconstruct a safer, more resilient Lemmon Drive between Fleetwood Drive and Ramsey Way. The Lemmon Drive Traffic Improvements & Resiliency Project will realign three miles of roadway above the 100-year floodplain to enhance safety, connectivity, and resilience, particularly in adverse weather conditions and emergency events. New lanes are being proposed in each direction from Fleetwood Drive to Palace Drive, and while driveway access may be diverted temporarily, multimodal access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians will be enhanced. For people who rely on this passage – a safer, more reliable, and resilient road is just ahead.   

What they’re saying: “The flooding from recent severe weather events has made the corridor less dependable. This project will offer better access for first responders, while also improving the pedestrian and cyclist experience in the area.” – Josh MacEachern, public information officer, Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County in a statement to ARTBA on 04/09/2024.