A new rail proposal could offer Northern Nevada commuters an alternative to the often-congested drive along Interstate 80.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County is studying the feasibility of using existing Union Pacific rail lines to transport workers between Reno, Sparks, and the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, including the busy USA Parkway corridor.
The proposed service would run from the Reno Amtrak station to the industrial center, an area that employs 20,000 people and suffers from traffic delays.
For years, commuters have voiced frustration over heavy traffic heading to USA Parkway. The Nevada Department of Transportation has approved a project to widen I-80.
One of the biggest challenges is coordinating with Union Pacific, which owns the tracks and must maintain its freight operations.
RTC Washoe, NDOT, Storey County, Tesla, and Panasonic funded the study.
The proposal outlines a two-phase approach. A short-term startup service is estimated to cost around $175 million, while a fully built-out system could exceed $1 billion.
Funding would likely come from a combination of federal grants and private investment, particularly from companies that stand to benefit from improved transportation options.
If approved, officials hope to launch initial service during NDOT’s freeway construction, providing commuters with a reliable alternative to driving.
RTC estimates the system could eventually carry between 14,000 and 15,000 passengers as the industrial center continues to grow and rail service expands.
The study is still under review, and the RTC board has yet to take formal action.
The Old Blog in the Desert 
Leave a comment