Project consultants working with the city on a local road safety plan witnessed what they described as a “near miss” when vehicles traveling on U.S. 95A near Royal Oaks Drive and Fernley High School came close to students crossing the highway into the neighborhood.
That firsthand observation resulted in several recommendations in the plan to improve the pedestrian crossing, including lowering the speed limit on U.S. 95A near the high school, establishing a school zone and installing an enhanced overhead pedestrian crossing similar to the one at Shadow Lane.
The system works by suspending bright, flashing warning lights directly over the roadway. When a student pushes the button at the curb, the lights immediately begin flashing to alert drivers to stop, making the crossing more visible than traditional roadside signs.
The proposed safety upgrades were discussed during several agenda items at the May 20 Fernley City Council meeting. To help fund the project, the council voted 4-0 to apply for a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All implementation grant for pedestrian safety improvements along the U.S. 95A corridor near the high school.
City staff have been working with consulting firm Kimley-Horn on Fernley’s 2026 Local Roads Safety Plan. During a presentation to the council, Kimley-Horn Project Manager Anabel Hernandez said the recommended improvements are expected to cost approximately $4 million.
“I feel like this is a really good investment in the future of safety for the city,” Hernandez said. “Establishing the school zone will help students, along with the pedestrian crossing, cross safely on the roadway.”
The grant application was due May 26, and award announcements are expected in November or December. Fernley Grants Administrator Trisha Livingston said that if the city receives the grant, design work could begin in July 2027, with construction starting in spring 2028 and finishing that fall.
Councilman Joe Mendoza asked staff to contact the Lyon County School District about helping fund the required 20 percent local match, saying the project directly benefits the school district.
The urgency of the project was reinforced during public comment by Fernley High School Principal Ryan Cross, who spoke as a resident. Cross said the current 55 mph speed limit in front of the school is unsafe for the approximately 1,300 students who enter the highway from a dead stop twice each day during lunch and dismissal.
He advocated for reducing the speed limit to 45 mph near the high school and 35 mph south of Cottonwood Lane. Referring to a recent crash at U.S. 95A and Cottonwood Lane, Cross said two pedestrians have already been struck at the intersection since August.
“The accident that happened Monday I think could have been easily prevented if that traffic was slowed down a little bit,” he said.
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