I-80/I-580/US-395 Spaghetti Bowl
Reno, NV

As the Reno area grew the traffic demand on the surrounding freeways greatly increased.  The ‘Spaghetti Bowl’ is the main interchange in Reno and had become grossly outdated.  This project was to upgrade and improve, widen and replace over 6 miles of freeway structures, hydraulics, drainage, slopes and ramps.

As a sub-consultant, we were responsible for the seismic retrofit, bridge widening and repair plans and structural inspection for the improvements. The project included the rehabilitation of over twenty structures, seismic upgrades, bridge widenings and other modifications required to improve the existing interchange and associated freeway.  Also included in the project was the design of several concrete and MSE retaining walls, over 6 miles of sound walls, storm drains and other misc. structures. 

New structures on the project were sound walls, retaining walls and drainage basins.  Over 6 miles of new sound walls were designed.  These sound walls included free standing sound walls, sound walls on piles and sound walls integrated into parapet walls over bridge structures.  Because of the additional dead and live loads imposed by sound walls over existing bridge structures, several innovative designs were utilized.

Seismic retrofit and widenings occurred at several structures, including Oddie Boulevard and Wedekind Road, where structures were widened into sensitive residential areas.  Care was taken both for the motorist in keeping the structures open during the widening, and for the residential area, trying to mitigate and limit the intrusion through innovative repair methods. 
                                        
Inspections and repairs were included in all structures, including barrier rail and approach slab replacement, deck overlays, deck sealing, joint replacement and patching.