In June, the Reno Planning and Transportation departments kicked-off the 4th Street/Prater Way Corridor Study. The project includes 7-miles of 4th Street/Prater Way, from the west edge of Downtown Reno (4th Street) to the eastern edge of the City of Sparks (Prater Way) – a total project area of about 8 square miles. Wood Rodgers is the prime consultant, providing transportation and land use planning, urban design, and public outreach, with the scope also including redevelopment/economic development scenario planning, as well as Bus Rapid Transit analysis provided by subconsultants.

4th Street/Prater Way is the region’s east/west “main street” and holds historical significance as the historic route of the Lincoln Highway (Highway 40), the United States’ first transcontinental highway conceived in 1913. Many of the regions most significant historical sites are found along 4th/Prater and within the corridor project area, including the original NCO Depot built in 1910, the Reno Brewing Company, the location of the Jack Johnson v. Jim Jeffries “Fight of the Century” heavyweight championship boxing match in 1910, and numerous iconic motor lodges.

The 4th Street/Prater Way Corridor Study seeks to improve the multi-modal capacity of the corridor in support of transit, increase livability, and promote infrastructure improvements that strategically catalyze private economic reinvestment. The study will also provide an analysis of the feasibility of a pilot bus rapid transit service connecting the cities of Reno and Sparks. The RTC is proactively seeking out ways in which infrastructure projects can promote positive change in the area. This is a very challenging and exciting project that presents Wood Rodgers with an opportunity to have significant involvement and lead the design efforts that will become the backbone for the revitalization of such a major corridor in our community.