Traffic to be detoured on U.S. 50 for flood mitigation

The Fernley Reporter

A traffic detour will be in place on U.S. 50 east of Fallon from Friday, March 31 through Thursday, April 6 as the Nevada Department of Transportation installs additional drainage culverts to help protect against flood damage during monumental local flood mitigation efforts.

Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, single lane closures will be in place on U.S. 50 between Wildes Road and Macari Lane with minimal traffic delays. Then, beginning at 7 a.m. Friday, March 31 through the end of day Thursday, April 6, U.S. 50 will be closed between Wildes Road and Macari Lane as construction crews reinforce the road in preparation of floodwaters being diverted from Lahontan Reservoir. Traffic will be detoured via U.S. 95, Berney Road and Macari Lane and return to U.S. 50 with less than 20 minutes of anticipated extra travel time. Motorists should use caution and give extra travel time on Macari Lane for utility relocation work.

To help prevent potential flooding in the City of Fallon following historically heavy winter precipitation, the Truckee Carson Irrigation District, in coordination with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Churchill County and the City of Fallon, are releasing water out of Lahontan Reservoir to natural land basins south of Fallon. Grimes Slough and the Lower Diagonal Drain are being improved to enhance flow of the excess floodwaters to the Stillwater Marsh area. NDOT is installing six six-foot-by-four-foot box drainage culverts underneath U.S. 50 east of Fallon to enhance the flow of floodwaters underneath the highway.

Earlier this month, NDOT similarly installed additional drainage culverts underneath U.S. 95 south of Fallon to help channel floodwaters underneath the highway. The improvements will also help reinforce the highways against potential flooding in future years. NDOT will also closely monitor specific state road bridges in the area for any potential impacts of heavier water flows.