Tesla, Panasonic North America and Kimley-Horn have filed permits with the Nevada Department of Transportation to extend the westbound on-ramp at the Interstate 80/Patrick Interchange, following the Storey County Commission’s April 21 approval of a private infrastructure improvement project contract between Storey County and Tesla.
The agreement allows Tesla to apply to NDOT for a private infrastructure project, with the county agreeing to pay for the project by reimbursing Tesla $4.1 million plus a contingency not to exceed 7% over a two-year period.
The on-ramp is currently 473 feet long and begins with a U-turn from Waltham Way.
Tesla representative Chris Reilly said that is too short to allow a vehicle to reach highway speed and is what causes afternoon backup every day between Patrick and USA Parkway.
The project will extend the on-ramp to 2,210 feet.
“That safely allows a semi-truck or any light duty vehicle to U-turn, get onto the freeway in that third on-ramp lane and get to 65 miles an hour before they have to merge,” Reilly said.
Tesla representative Brian Bolz said there have been several examples in the past eight months showing how traffic on the freeway improves when it isn’t backed up on the Waltham Way on-ramp.
“So this isn’t just a theory,” Bolz said. “We do have real world examples of what an improved intersection would do here for the interstate flow.”
Storey County Manager Austin Osborne said the agreement allows Tesla to work with NDOT through a private infrastructure first phase and get the project done in about 50 days.
In a post on LinkedIn, Reilly said construction will start as soon as next month, pending approvals.
“I think the need is apparent and I'm supportive of quick and effective solutions, especially when we can lend our strengths from our organization and from your organization to implement those solutions quickly and effectively,” Commissioner Jay Carmona said.
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