Granite (NYSE:GVA) has been selected by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to provide preconstruction services for the Interstate 80 East Widening Project in Washoe County.
.webp){kind=logo}
The $19 million preconstruction services agreement marks a key step toward the anticipated $475 million construction phase. The broader project will widen a 13-mile stretch of I-80 between Vista Boulevard and USA Parkway — a corridor widely viewed as critical to northern Nevada’s economic growth.
Funding for the construction phase is expected to include $275 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation INFRA Grant program, along with additional state and federal contributions. The preconstruction agreement was included in Granite’s 2025 year-end CAP.
Granite’s selection represents another milestone in its long-standing relationship with NDOT. The company previously served as Nevada’s first Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contractor in 2012 and will now act as the state’s inaugural Progressive Design-Build (PDB) contractor.
“The PDB process enables NDOT and Granite to work together from the earliest phases of design, allowing the team to refine alternatives, optimize sequencing, and fully leverage Granite’s integrated construction and materials capabilities,” said NDOT Chief of Project Management Division, Nick Johnson. “This collaborative model is expected to maximize schedule efficiency, cost certainty, and project performance for all stakeholders.”
The I-80 corridor east of Sparks plays a pivotal role in Nevada’s economy. It connects the Reno–Sparks metropolitan area with USA Parkway and the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC), a rapidly expanding 160-square-mile industrial hub.
TRIC supports major national and international employers and is projected to generate between 35,000 and 50,000 jobs over the next two decades. Thousands of commuters and freight operators rely on this route daily, making congestion relief and roadway improvements a priority for state planners.
“For more than four decades, Granite has served as a strategic infrastructure partner to NDOT,” said Granite Vice President of Regional Operations, Chris Burke. “Our Nevada team combines the resource strength of the nation’s #1 highway contractor (ENR) with deep local expertise and a proven record of delivering high performance transportation solutions. The I-80 East Widening Project represents the fifth collaborative delivery project awarded to Granite by NDOT, underscoring the strength of this long-term partnership.”
The Progressive Design-Build model allows Granite and NDOT to collaborate during early design stages, helping manage risk, refine cost estimates, and streamline construction sequencing before breaking ground. Transportation officials increasingly favor this method for large-scale infrastructure projects because it promotes efficiency and reduces the likelihood of costly delays.
Preconstruction work is scheduled to begin in February 2026. Construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2027, with completion targeted for summer 2031.
The widening project is expected to improve traffic flow, enhance freight mobility, and strengthen regional supply chain reliability. In addition to congestion relief, upgrades could include safety improvements, modernized interchanges, and infrastructure enhancements designed to accommodate long-term population and industrial growth.
.webp)
As one of the largest diversified construction and materials companies in the United States, Granite continues expanding its footprint in large-scale transportation projects nationwide. Incorporated in 1922, the company has built a strong presence in civil construction and materials production, positioning itself as a major partner in federally supported infrastructure initiatives.
With federal INFRA grant support and strong state backing, the I-80 East Widening Project stands as one of Nevada’s most significant transportation investments of the decade — and a major addition to Granite’s growing infrastructure portfolio.
Originally reported by Granite in Business Wire.
.webp)
