Kiewit named ‘best value’ builder for Project Neon
CARSON CITY — A firm called Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. was named the "apparent best value" to build the major Interstate 15-Spaghetti Bowl widening and improvement project called Project Neon at a price of $559 million, the state Transportation Board was told Monday.
The Transportation Department will now negotiate with the company to finalize a contract that could come to the state board for approval in November. The selection announcement was informational only.
The firm indicated that it expects to have substantial completion of the project by the fourth quarter of 2019, several months ahead of original projections.
Two other groups submitted proposals, but at higher costs than Kiewit. Kiewit's total score was 97.88 out of 100 compared to 80.5 and 84.1 for the other two competing firms.
The 3.7-mile overhaul of the state's busiest freeway interchange and the region just south of it will be the largest transportation infrastructure project ever done in the state when it gets under way next year. When all costs are tallied, including right-of-way acquisition, the project will reach an estimated $1.5 billion.
The massive freeway widening and improvement project will mean headaches for motorists from Interstate 15 from Sahara Avenue to the Spaghetti Bowl during the construction period.
The project will improve safety and the state economy as commerce moves more quickly through the congested area. The section of freeway sees 250,000 to 270,000 vehicles a day with 1,000 crashes a year.
The project will include an overhaul of the Spaghetti Bowl interchange of I-15 and U.S. Highway 95 involving construction of a high-occupancy-vehicle flyover ramp and a series of braided ramps and redesigned exits.
Kiewit is one of North America's largest construction and engineering organizations. The employee-owned organization based in Fairfield, Calif., operates through a network of subsidiaries in the United States, Canada and Australia. Kiewit had 2014 revenues of $10.4 billion and employs more than 25,700 staff and craft employees.
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.
