The Nevada State Board of Transportation this week approved a contract for a multi-year Nevada Department of Transportation project to redesign and reconstruct US 50 (East Aultman Street) through downtown Ely.
Road and Highway Builders has won the approximately $54 million project to reconstruct and improve the highway, which was last fully resurfaced 30 years ago and received minor resurfacing 13 years ago.
NDOT secured a $24 million federal RAISE grant to support project construction.
Construction of the project is expected to begin in spring 2025 and continue until 2026. NDOT will work to maintain access to all businesses during construction. NDOT, road and highway builders and business groups will work together to keep the community informed about changes in construction and construction traffic.
Beginning in the spring of 2025, community members can expect intermittent lane closures and up to 30-minute delays as well as brief intersection closures on US 50 (Aultman Street) as the following improvements are made between First Street and Bell Avenue and 10Th until 15Th Street through downtown Ely:
- Reconstruction and renewal of the aging roadway. Nearly fifteen inches of aging pavement surface and base will be pulverized and mixed with new cement to create a stronger and more durable pavement base. Six inches of new asphalt will then be laid over the new road base to create a smoother and safer road surface.
- Between 10Th Street to 15Th Street: Road surface improvements and reconstruction of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps and driveways along this portion of the project. The lane configuration remains the same with two lanes in each direction.
- Drainage, wastewater and water improvements will follow on from the nearly 2,300 feet of drainage pipes and channels installed in the first phase of the project, resulting in an improved drainage network to reduce flood risks.
- Electronically flashing pedestrian crossing signs, called rapid rectangular flashing beacons, will be installed, allowing pedestrians to activate the signs to stop traffic as they cross the street. These intersections are at Fifth Street, Ninth Street, East 11Th Street and 15Th Street.
- Improved LED roadway lighting will be installed.
- The underground pipeline will also be improved to provide better connectivity to street cameras, road/weather information systems and more. This also provides an opportunity for early installation of future electrical and communications cables, including fiber optic cables, as part of a broader plan to increase access to high-speed internet throughout Nevada.
- The accessibility of the sidewalk ramps will be improved.
Complete street renovation – First Street to Bell Avenue
- Between First Street and Bell Avenue, US 50 will be converted to a “full street design,” with one lane in each direction and a left-turn lane in both directions in the middle. The transformation will help provide safe, comfortable and convenient access to the city center for everyone. A report from Smart Growth America shows that “complete streets” can not only reduce accidents and injuries, but also boost employment, economic development and more. The Federal Highway Administration notes that such changes may be particularly important for rural major highways, where through traffic and local access can create traffic safety challenges.
- Bike lanes and widened and accessible sidewalks will improve mobility for everyone, especially since Ely sits at the intersection of major statewide bike corridors.
- Additional designated on-street parking facilitates business access.
- Electronically flashing pedestrian crossing signs, called rapid rectangular flashing lights, will be installed at Fifth and Ninth Streets, allowing pedestrians to activate the signs to stop traffic as they cross the street.
- Improved decorative LED street lighting, trees and other aesthetic improvements such as welcome signs will create a distinctive downtown environment. The three welcome signs, decorative paving, street trees and tile medallions set into the pavement, representing Ely's cultural heritage, will create a distinctive main street environment.
The project marks the second phase of the Ely Downtown Reconstruction Project. The first phase of the project, completed in 2021, improved highway and drainage improvements on US 50/East Aultman Street between Bell Avenue and East 10th Street. For more information on state highways, visit dot.nv.gov or call (775) 888- 7000. Also follow @NevadaDOTReno on Twitter for northern Nevada traffic and project updates and @nevadadot on Facebook and Instagram for updates from across the state .