Galena Creek Bridge Takes Shape

The Galena Creek Bridge is the key component of the I-580 Freeway Extension Project currently under construction between the Mt. Rose Highway in Galena (south Reno) and the Bowers Mansion cutoff in Washoe Valley. The new section of highway is 8.5 miles long and will bypass the hazardous and congested section currently passing through Pleasant Valley. When completed, the project will provide a limited access freeway link from Reno all the way to Carson City.

The design of the Galena Creek Bridge is called "cathedral arch." According to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), it will be the largest such structure in the world at 1700 feet long, with an arch span of 690 feet. Twin arches will support a bridge deck 295 feet above the creek. A number of other conventional bridges are included in the project, which follows a route in the foothills west of the current alignment of U.S. 395. The whole project is scheduled for completion in 2011.

The NDOT website about the I-580 Freeway Extension Project is excellent. Check it out for information like the I-580 Freeway Extension Project Interactive Map and Galena Creek Bridge webcams.

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