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UNIVERSITY GATEWAY TRANSPORTATION PROJECT

Project Overview

Label Value
Status Upcoming Projects
RTC Project Manager (PM) Kimberly Diegle, P.E.
RTC Engineering Department (775) 348-0171
Design Firm To be determined
Construction Contractor To be determined

Project Description

Reconnecting downtown Reno and the University of Nevada

Interstate 80 divided downtown Reno from the University of Nevada, Reno campus more than 50 years ago. Today, pedestrians and cyclists crossing the highway face high-speed traffic, limited visibility and intersections with documented histories of serious and fatal crashes. The University Gateway Transportation Project will change that.

RTC, the City of Reno and the University of Nevada, Reno are partnering to design a safe, accessible and inviting connection across I-80 that links the university campus to downtown, the Riverwalk District, Midtown, and more.

We want to hear from you!

Take the Survey

Public Comment Form

 

What the project will deliver

A redesigned Evans Avenue crossing over I-80 with dedicated pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure separated from vehicle traffic. The expanded crossing will include landscape screening, lighting and urban design elements that reduce the visual and physical impact of the highway and extend the character of the university campus south across the interstate.

The project also reimagines Evans Park as a connected campus amenity, integrates with the planned realignment of Ninth Street and creates a visual gateway that serves as the front door to UNR for students, visitors and the community.

Additional transportation improvements include:

  • The extension of East Ninth Street from Valley Road to Wells Avenue, increasing connectivity to the University Gateway area
  • Realignment of Ninth Street between University Way and Evans Avenue to the south paired with the re-establishment of Record Street connection to East Ninth St to enhance multi-modal safety in the area

Why this matters

This corridor is on the region’s High Injury Network. Pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries have been documented at multiple locations between Sixth Street and Ninth Street along Virginia Street, University Way and Evans Avenue. Current crossings do not provide adequate safety or comfort for pedestrians and cyclists, and new development on both sides of the highway is increasing the number of people moving through the area.

The project addresses safety while positioning the university district as an economic driver. UNR’s campus is expanding south with planned housing, a life sciences facility, a hotel and a new College of Business building. An enhanced connection across I-80 sets up the next phase of campus growth and strengthens the link between the university and Reno’s commercial core.

Project Partners

The University Gateway Transportation Project is a collaboration between the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, the City of Reno, and the University of Nevada, Reno, Design consultants are Wood Rodgers for the roadway improvements, and LMN Architects for the conceptual development of the Gateway elements. The project is currently in the conceptual design phase.

City of Reno Logo      University of Reno Logo

 

View the University-Area Transportation Study Page

View the Reno I-80 Crossing Alternative Study

Latest News

We want to keep the community engaged and informed as the project develops. An initial public meeting is scheduled for May 2026 to share the project vision and conceptual designs with the community and get feedback.

Public Meeting

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 5 pm – 7 pm, Presentation at 5:30 pm
Location: University of Nevada Reno,
John Tulloch Business Building
201 E. 9th Street – Room 100

UNR Map of buildings

Meeting Material Presentation Boards:

A conceptual aerial map titled “University Area Transportation Project Elements” showing proposed roadway improvements near the University of Nevada, Reno and Interstate 80. The map highlights two project elements: the “Ninth Street Extension” in green and the “Evans & Ninth Realignment” in blue. The roadway alignment travels east-west along East Ninth Street between University Way and Wells Avenue, with a highlighted area labeled “New Evans Park Gateway.” Interstate 80 and surrounding streets, buildings, and neighborhoods are visible in the background. A legend distinguishes new roadway from existing roadway, and a note states that the content shown is conceptual and subject to change. A conceptual safety map titled “Prioritizing Safety in the Area” highlighting pedestrian and bicycle crash locations near the University of Nevada, Reno and the Interstate 80 corridor. The aerial map focuses on streets including East Ninth Street, North Virginia Street, University Way, Evans Avenue, and North Sierra Street. Colored circles and highlighted roadway segments identify areas with pedestrian injuries, pedestrian fatalities, and multiple incidents. Three pedestrian fatality locations are specifically labeled near University Way and East Ninth Street. Insets on the left show additional crash data maps for pedestrian crashes from 2016–2020 and university area bicycle and pedestrian crashes from 2015–2017. A note states that the content shown is conceptual and subject to change. A conceptual planning board titled “Evans Park Gateway Study” showing proposed pedestrian, bicycle, and roadway connections near Evans Park, the University of Nevada, Reno, and Interstate 80. The main aerial map illustrates planned pathways, landscaped green space, roadway alignments, and circulation routes connecting East Ninth Street, Evans Avenue, University Way, and future university development areas. Evans Park, Manzanita Bowl, student housing, and future campus expansion areas are labeled. Smaller diagrams on the right depict proposed circulation patterns for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles, including a major pedestrian crossing and regional bicycle network connection over Interstate 80. A cross-section diagram illustrates separated pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle travel lanes on a bridge crossing above the freeway. A note states that the content shown is conceptual and subject to change. A conceptual watercolor mock drawing of the completed project. A note states that the content shown is conceptual and subject to change.

UNIVERSITY GATEWAY TRANSPORTATION PROJECT