FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Josh MacEachern, Public Information Officer
jmaceachern@rtcwashoe.com | RTC Media Phone: 775-420-1727
Learn more about the University Gateway Transportation Project
RTC is hosting a public information meeting Wednesday, May 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.
RENO, Nev. (May 18, 2026) —The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC), the City of Reno and the University of Nevada, Reno invite the community to a public meeting on the University Gateway Transportation Project on Wednesday, May 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the University of Nevada, Reno John Tulloch Business Building, 201 E. Ninth St., Room 100. A brief presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m.
For more than 50 years, Interstate 80 has acted as a physical and safety barrier between downtown Reno and the University of Nevada campus. Today, streets in and around the University Gateway are part of the region’s High Injury Network, with multiple pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries documented between Sixth and Ninth streets, along Virginia Street, University Way and Evans Avenue.
The project would improve traffic circulation around the University area and create a safe, accessible and inviting connection across the interstate that links the campus to downtown Reno.
Potential improvements include enhancements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities along Ninth Street and the Evans Avenue bridge, a reimagined Evans Park as a connected campus amenity, and upgraded lighting and landscaping to improve visibility and safety. Additional elements include the extension of East Ninth Street from Valley Road to Wells Avenue and realignment of Ninth Street between University Way and Evans Avenue to improve multimodal safety throughout the corridor.
The project is estimated to cost between $60 million and $90 million — construction is contingent on securing local, state and federal funding, with a target construction window of 2029–2030 pending funding availability.
“The current street network in this area has real safety challenges, and this project gives us the opportunity to address them thoughtfully with input from the people who use it every day,” said Kimberly Diegle, P.E., RTC Washoe project manager. “Community support at this stage directly helps move this project forward.”
A public survey and renderings are available at rtcwashoe.com/project/university-gateway. Parking for the public meeting is available at the Gateway Parking Complex. Virginia Line BRT riders can exit at the Ninth Street Station.
For more information, visit rtcwashoe.com or follow RTC on social media using @RTCWashoe.
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About RTC: The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Nevada serves the citizens of Reno, Sparks and unincorporated areas of Washoe County. As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the region, the RTC provides leadership in planning and implements quality transportation systems to meet the community’s present and future transportation needs. For more information about RTC projects, visit rtcwashoe.com and sign up for email updates using MyRTC or call (775) 348-0400. Follow RTC on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County
1105 Terminal Way | Reno, NV 89502
Building a Better Community Through Quality Transportation.
