Joint Special Board Meeting of RTC Washoe and Story County on Northeast Connector - September 29, 2026

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) and the Story County Board of County Commissioners held a historic joint special meeting on September 29, 2026, to discuss the Northeast Connector Feasibility Study Final Report and consider advancing the Vista Boulevard and La Posada Drive alignments into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The meeting included extensive public comment, a staff presentation, and a board vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Justin Uhart (fifth-generation Nevadan, Panasonic engineer) expressed strong support for an aerial gondola system, citing a pre-approved feasibility study and potential to reduce I-80 traffic by 63-70%. He stated the gondola would be cheaper, faster, and fully electric.
• Gary Troyer opposed the La Posada alignment, arguing it lacks traffic mitigation for neighborhoods and criticized the sudden revival of La Posada after being deemed not viable.
• Fred Krueger (Highlands at Cimarron resident, 32 years of planning experience) vehemently opposed both alternatives, stating the real purpose is to open land for data centers and housing. He challenged a report claim that stakeholders did not comment.
• Chris Riley (Tesla team member) urged advancing both alignments into NEPA, noting that 85% of survey respondents called I-80 congestion a critical problem. He detailed Tesla's $4.3 million investment in the Patrick Interchange merge lane expansion.
• Don Tatrow (Redwood Materials) supported moving both alignments forward, citing impacts on recruiting, retention, and employee quality of life. He noted workers missing family events due to long commutes.
• Daryl Gardeepi (Chairman, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony) opposed the project, stating RTC failed to consult the tribe. He showed confidential maps of cultural resources in the area, calling the area sacred and warning against destruction.
• Jackie Perell (Panasonic Energy) expressed support for item 5.1, emphasizing the need for improved connectivity and emergency access for employees.
• James Shepard (Sparks resident) argued for an interstate-quality freeway or electric light rail, and suggested toll incentives for carpools.
• Mary Claire Landkey supported the connector but stressed the need for at least two lanes each way due to wildfire evacuation concerns.
• Thomas Bagan (retired mining engineer) supported the connector but urged traffic modeling to assess cut-through traffic on Vista Boulevard, and recommended aggressive metering on I-80.
• Kristen Geddes (Sky Ranch Estates resident, 20 years) argued that only the Vista corridor should advance based on cost, environmental impact, and predicted traffic performance. She noted Pyramid Highway already over capacity.
• Joe Mudd (Highlands resident) opposed both alignments but preferred the Golden Eagle connector. He objected to La Posada turning the area into a "drive-thru town".
• Mike Clark recommended widening I-80 to four lanes each way and building a new freeway (I-680 north) as a long-term solution.
• Tracy Thomas opposed La Posada, citing safety concerns for cyclists and dangers to the Truckee Meadows Fire Department station, and suggested a western terminus farther north.
• Jeff Donahue (My Ride to Work) supported alternative roadway options based on his company's experience with USA Parkway employee transportation.
• Christine Biglieri (realtor, 35-year resident) urged careful study and community involvement, expressing concern that La Posada would lead to development in Palomino Valley.
• Josh Abair opposed both alignments, arguing that adding roads induces demand and wastes tax dollars. He cited that the connector would carry less than 10% of peak demand and called for better transit alternatives.
• Eddie Gunet (retired military, Wingfield Springs) opposed the connector and supported expanding I-80 instead, warning that one inch of road leads to sprawl and wildlife loss.
• Justin Hagigi asked the board to not authorize either alignment, citing poor return on investment, high maintenance costs, fatality risk on two-lane roads, and lack of disclosed NEPA funding.
• Teddy Elwell (fourth-generation Nevadan) opposed both alignments and recommended a light rail system on Union Pacific tracks, citing wildlife impacts and safety.
• Zeback Purdue (Spanish Springs resident) opposed both alignments, arguing they would harm communities and wildlife, and that the real motive is to build houses.
• Aloisa Phelps (40-year resident) focused on safety concerns, supporting a commuter railroad instead of shifting traffic to residential streets.
• George Forbush (resident against La Posada connector, president of Nevada Predator Hunting Association) opposed both choices, urging expansion of I-80 first to preserve open space and cultural resources.
• Public comments also included eight written emails received by the clerk.
• Final public comment: Trista Gomez (Assembly candidate) expressed frustration at the lack of prior planning and urged better coordination with developers and tribes. Natha Anderson (Assemblymember) thanked the board for taking on the issue and noted that federal land ownership requires federal involvement. Fred Krueger reiterated opposition, calling the land publicly owned and urging open space preservation. Matthew Setty (business owner and NEPA practitioner) supported the project but strongly recommended developing a formal MOU with the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony to address cultural resource issues.

Discussion Items

• Staff presentation: Brian Byrne (RTC project manager) and Brian Gantt (Wood Rogers consultant) presented the final feasibility study. The study evaluated corridors to provide an east-west connection north of I-80 between East Spanish Springs/Sparks and the Tri-Center (USA Parkway area). Traffic increased 58% from 2013-2023, and the workforce at the Tri-Center grew 300%. Two alignments emerged: Vista Boulevard (estimated $275 million) and La Posada Drive (estimated $450 million). The draft report initially recommended Vista, but after public feedback, both were deemed feasible.
• Public outreach: RTC received approximately 1,000 comments and 705 survey responses. About 85% of survey respondents said I-80 congestion is a critical issue; 60% wanted RTC to move forward, 31% wanted to explore other options.
• Study updates: The La Posada Spur connection was eliminated. The final report acknowledged the MOU between City of Sparks and Reno-Sparks Indian Colony regarding Section 31 and 32 for a transportation corridor. The recommendation was revised to show both alignments as feasible for further NEPA evaluation.
• Alternatives considered: Bill Thomas (RTC Executive Director) and Austin Osborne (Story County Manager) reviewed other efforts: an NDOT South Meadows Corridor feasibility study (cost $870 million - $1.6 billion), a rail feasibility study (initial phase capital $175 million, full build $1-1.2 billion, plus $11 million annual operating cost, needing Union Pacific approval and new operating authority), private transit (My Ride to Work: 1,500 employees daily), and RTC vanpool program (211 vans, 17,000 riders/month). Story County has master planned 10,000 homes near the Tri-Center, updated zoning, and partnered on the Patrick Interchange project.
• I-80 widening: NDOT's I-80 widening project completed NEPA in September 2025, pre-construction underway, targeted construction start late 2027/early 2028, three-year project.
• Board comments: Commissioner Garcia asked about feasibility study cost ($600,000 from local fuel tax) and funding for NEPA ($3-5 million, not yet identified). She supported advancing both alignments with tribal engagement. Vice Chair Reese emphasized the regional nature of the problem and supported studying both, noting that doing nothing is not an option. Mayor Lawson supported La Posada only, citing Sparks' MOU with RSIC to preserve antiquities, and opposed the Vista alignment. Chair Hill supported advancing both, noting a need for resilient road networks and advocating for future rail authority in the legislature.
• Cost and funding: The NEPA process is estimated at $3-5 million; RTC plans to seek partners (Story County, state, businesses) before returning to the board.

Key Outcomes

• RTC Board Vote: A motion to authorize staff to advance both the Vista Boulevard and La Posada Drive alignments into the NEPA process, with an added directive to engage the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony from the beginning, passed 3-1 (three ayes, one nay). The nay was cast by Mayor Lawson, who supported only La Posada.
• Story County Next Steps: Story County will consider a similar action at its next board meeting on October 6, 2026, at the Story County Courthouse. Vice Chair Gilman indicated the county will arrive at a meaningful participation level after staff consultation and public process.