RTC of Washoe County │ Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Complete Streets Project

This award-winning complete streets project focused on improving multimodal movement, access, safety, and aesthetics in a vibrant and emerging urban corridor in Reno. NCE was contracted by the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County to deliver planning, engineering design, community engagement, environmental compliance, permitting, and construction support services. Improvements included new bus shelters and traffic signal prioritization, roadway reconstruction, intersection and signal modification, landscaping and aesthetic improvements, pedestrian and bicycle access and safety improvements, drainage improvements, and a University of Nevada gateway feature. 

NCE first investigated existing conditions at the project site, including pavement conditions, traffic, and utilities. NCE’s planners, scientists, and outreach specialists engaged with agencies and the public via meetings and workshops, a community working group, and a technical advisory committee. Next, NCE identified sustainable and feasible rehabilitation and reconstruction alternatives. NCE developed a variety of visualizations and graphics that were tied closely to the visioning and engineering design of on-the-ground improvements and facilitated public participation. NCE also developed and maintained an interactive website that provided the public with access to up-to-date project information. Once a preferred alternative was chosen, NCE completed design plans and estimates. This project dramatically improved vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, and mass transit use of the Virginia Street corridor.