Design. Compromised.
In the initial renderings of the NDOT proposed Spaghetti Bowl Project, the Reno Tahoe International Airport was slated to lose its two direct off-ramps from the I-580 Freeway. The airport was not happy about this development, and made its displeasure clear.
In December of 2018, NDOT stated that it intended to preserve one of the two off-ramps (the southbound off-ramp), but had not had time to include the design in its “preferred alternative” rendering.
Well, NDOT has put pen to paper and released a new rendition of its preferred alternative showing the preserved off-ramp. This should be welcome news to the Airport Authority, and to frequent air-commuters (including yours truly).
When project planning/condemning authorities engage in constructive dialogue with the impacted stakeholders, it can have a very beneficial impact on the community as a whole. A simple redesign can often make the project itself better, and greatly reduce harmful consequences on other people. Most public projects are, after all, designed to benefit the public. So it is gratifying to see NDOT work with other interested parties to come up with a design that minimizes harm.
