About the Project
The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is preparing a Safety Management Plan to address potential safety improvements to South Virginia Street between Patriot Boulevard and Mt. Rose Highway in Reno. Public feedback to help identify safety challenges and potential solutions along the corridor are important to us.
Our team considered existing conditions such as historical crash data, existing planning documents, vehicle level of service, future travel demand, bicycle and pedestrian comfort, speed data, land use, economic development, existing roadway geometry and transit route data.
South Virginia Street experiences more fatal crashes than similar facilities across the state. A priority of this Safety Management Plan is to identify low, medium, and high-priority, implementable improvements that will have an immediate safety benefit to road users.
Safety Concerns
The South Virginia St corridor has a 25% higher fatal crash rate compared to the other
similar facilities across the state.
Each year, more than two people are either killed or seriously injured on South Virginia
Street. Several factors are contributing to crashes on South Virginia Street.
High Speeds
Most of South Virginia Street has a posted speed limit of 50-55 mph. Hit at this speed, 80% of people will die
Angle Crashes
43% of all crashes are angle-type crashes. Angle crashes have a higher likelihood of resulting in a serious injury or fatality.
Vulnerable Road Users
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are much more likely to be killed on South Virginia Street than people traveling in a car.
Proposed Corridor Improvements
Below are the proposed corridor improvements that aim to enhance safety for all modes of transportation along the South Virginia Street.
Mid-Block Crossings
Creating safer crosswalks for pedestrians
Additional Streetlights
Enhancing visibility in the corridor
Accessibility (ADA) Improvements
Ensuring everybody can travel on South Virginia Street
New Medians
Managing turning traffic and reducing angle crashes
Reduced Speed Limit
Setting a lower speed limit that matches the context of the corridor
Alternative Cross Sections Being Considered
Proposed Side Running Transit Concept
Side running bus lanes are located on the outside most lanes of a road (nearest to the curb) and are separated/distinguished from regular vehicle lanes with painted marking. The bus lane can be used by buses and by vehicles making a right turn at an upcoming driveway or intersection.
Proposed Center Running Transit Concept
Center running bus lanes are located in the middle of the roadway and are distinguished/separated from regular vehicle travel lanes using raised medians. These lanes are reserved only for buses. Vehicles needing to cross the center bus lanes (such as to make a left turn) usually must go to an intersection with a traffic signal.
Proposed Recreational Trail Concept
A new trail (shared-use path) would be constructed along the roadway providing a dedicated space for pedestrians and bicyclists. This shared-use path would be separated up and away from vehicle traffic.
Proposed Buffered Bicycle Lane Concept
Buffered bicycle lanes would be installed along the roadway. Where needed, the buffered bicycle lanes could also accommodate right-turning vehicles.
RTC Washoe is currently in the process of developing a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Study for the South Virginia Street Corridor from McCarran Boulevard south to Mt. Rose Highway. The TOD study is separate from the SMP; however, NDOT and RTC Washoe are working together to make sure the recommendations from both studies are coordinated to provide enhanced safety and mobility for all roadway users.
For the TOD study, RTC Washoe is working with the City of Reno, Washoe County, and the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency to analyze existing and future growth, land use, and development patterns of the corridor to determine how best to phase in the next generation of transit to meet current and future demands. The study is also exploring opportunities to influence future growth, encourage economic development, and provide affordable housing opportunities to support the future of transit and multimodal connectivity in the corridor.