Granite-Led Joint Venture Selected to Advance Reno’s Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement Project
Granite has announced that Keystone Bridge Partners, a joint venture led by Granite in partnership with Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc., has been selected by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County to provide preconstruction services for the Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement Project in Reno, Nevada. The project will be delivered using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method, allowing the project team to collaborate closely with the RTC during the planning and design phases before construction begins.
The selection marks another important infrastructure investment for the Reno area and reinforces Granite’s long-standing role in delivering transportation projects that improve safety, mobility, and long-term resilience. By participating early in the development process, the joint venture will help optimize project planning, manage costs, reduce risks, and support efficient construction scheduling while minimizing impacts on the surrounding community.
The Keystone Avenue Bridge has served as an essential transportation link since it was originally constructed in 1966. Crossing the Truckee River, the bridge provides a vital north-south connection for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency services traveling through Reno. Over the decades, the bridge has become an important component of the region’s transportation network, supporting daily commuters as well as commercial traffic moving throughout Washoe County.
As the bridge has aged, however, it has become structurally deficient and no longer fully meets the demands of modern transportation. Increasing traffic volumes, evolving safety standards, and the need for improved multimodal access have highlighted the importance of replacing the aging structure with a new bridge designed to meet the community’s future transportation needs.
The Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement Project aims to provide a modern transportation facility that enhances safety, improves traffic flow, and accommodates future population and economic growth in the Reno metropolitan area.
Granite Regional Vice President Chris Burke emphasized the significance of the project and the company’s commitment to supporting critical public infrastructure investments.
“This project reflects Granite’s continued commitment to delivering resilient, community-focused infrastructure,” Burke said. “We are excited to again partner with the RTC to find collaborative solutions to best serve Reno and the travelling public.”
The Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery model plays a key role in achieving those objectives. Unlike traditional construction procurement methods, CMAR brings the construction team into the project during the design phase, allowing engineers, contractors, and project owners to work collaboratively from the outset.
Through this approach, Keystone Bridge Partners will provide expertise in constructability reviews, cost estimating, scheduling, value engineering, and risk management while designs continue to evolve. Early contractor involvement helps identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce potential construction challenges, and deliver greater value for taxpayers.
The project includes the complete demolition of the existing Keystone Avenue Bridge and construction of an entirely new multi-span steel beam girder bridge. The replacement structure will be designed to provide enhanced structural performance, improved durability, and increased capacity to serve the region for decades to come.
In addition to replacing the bridge itself, the project encompasses substantial roadway improvements surrounding the crossing. Keystone Avenue approaches on both sides of the bridge will be reconstructed to improve traffic operations, enhance safety, and provide smoother transitions between the bridge and adjacent roadways.
The scope of work also includes the construction of new retaining walls that will support roadway infrastructure while helping stabilize surrounding areas. Drainage improvements will be incorporated throughout the project to better manage stormwater runoff and improve the long-term performance of both the bridge and surrounding transportation infrastructure.
Another important component of the project involves relocating and upgrading utilities located within the construction corridor. Coordinating utility infrastructure during the preconstruction phase will help minimize disruptions and support efficient project delivery once construction begins.
Beyond improvements for motorists, the Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement Project has been designed to enhance mobility for pedestrians and cyclists as well. A new multi-use path will connect the bridge to Vine Street, creating improved access for non-motorized transportation and strengthening connections within the surrounding community.
These enhancements support broader transportation goals that prioritize complete streets and provide safer travel options for all users, regardless of how they move throughout the city. By improving accessibility and connectivity, the project contributes to a more balanced transportation network that serves drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users alike.
Additional roadway improvements in the vicinity of the bridge are also planned as part of the overall project. These upgrades are expected to improve traffic circulation, increase operational efficiency, and enhance safety throughout the surrounding transportation corridor.
The Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement Project represents a significant investment in Reno’s infrastructure at a time when communities across the United States are working to modernize aging transportation assets. Replacing older bridges with modern structures not only improves public safety but also supports economic growth by maintaining reliable transportation connections for businesses, residents, and visitors.
For Granite, the project continues the company’s long history of delivering complex transportation infrastructure throughout the western United States. Working alongside Condon-Johnson & Associates, Keystone Bridge Partners combines expertise in bridge construction, geotechnical engineering, foundation systems, and heavy civil construction to support successful project execution.
The partnership with the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County also reflects an ongoing collaborative relationship focused on improving mobility and infrastructure across the Reno region. By engaging with project stakeholders early through the CMAR process, the team seeks to minimize construction impacts while maximizing long-term benefits for the traveling public.
As preconstruction activities move forward, Keystone Bridge Partners will continue working closely with the RTC, engineers, utility providers, and local stakeholders to refine project plans, finalize construction strategies, and prepare for the next phase of development.
Once completed, the new Keystone Avenue Bridge will provide a safer, stronger, and more resilient transportation link across the Truckee River, supporting regional mobility while enhancing access for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. The project is expected to serve the Reno community for generations, demonstrating the value of collaborative planning and modern infrastructure investment in meeting the region’s evolving transportation needs.
Source Link:https://www.graniteconstruction.com/
