New lane to open on U.S. 50 near Stagecoach Wednesday

On Wednesday, a new eastbound lane will open on U.S. 50 in the Stagecoach area as part of a Nevada Department of Transportation project to widen the highway.

Since June, both directions of traffic on U.S. 50 have been shifted to use westbound lanes as NDOT widens the highway. On Wednesday, westbound traffic will continue to travel in the westbound outer lane, but eastbound traffic will be shifted to a new eastbound outside lane. Inside lanes will remain closed for construction, and access to and from U.S. 50 will be slightly modified to accommodate the new traffic configuration.

Motorists will continue to see reduced speeds, minor travel delays and traffic shifts, as well as a temporary one-way traffic pattern at the U.S. 50 and Alternate U.S. 95 junction in Silver Springs.

As part of the project begun in January, crews have thus far excavated and paved approximately nine miles of new westbound lanes and six miles of eastbound lanes. Fourteen miles of new four strand, 4-foot high livestock/wildlife fencing has been installed to enhance safety and reduce vehicle/animal collisions. Eight frontage roads also have been constructed, tying local access roads into major intersections for safer designated turns to and from the highway.  

Scheduled to complete in the second half of 2020, the NDOT project will widen U.S. 50 from a two-lane to a four-lane divided highway between Roy’s Road in Stagecoach and the U.S. 95A junction in Silver Springs. A traffic roundabout will replace the existing flashing traffic signal at the U.S. 50 and 95A junction in Silver Springs. The concrete roundabout will make intersection travel safer and quicker, with free right turns between U.S. 50 and southern Alternate U.S. 95. Roadside lighting will be installed and enhanced for improved visibility and safety at major intersections. The nearly 10 miles of highway to be widened is traveled by approximately 6,000 drivers daily.

The approximately $50 million highway project by contractor Granite Construction Co. marks the final phase of widening of U.S. 50 to four lanes between Carson City and Silver Springs. Throughout the past decade, NDOT has widened U.S. 50 from eastern Dayton to the Stagecoach area from two to four lanes.

Project updates are available at nevadadot.com or by calling 775-888-7000.