The Daily Dig
Keystone Bridge Partners has been selected to provide preconstruction services on a bridge replacement project in Reno, Nevada. The joint venture is led by Granite (NYSE: GVA) alongside Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County made the selection. The work will be delivered using the Construction Manager at Risk method.
The bridge dates back to 1966 and crosses the Truckee River, serving as a key north-south corridor through the area. RTC has classified the structure as structurally deficient. The replacement project is meant to improve safety and accommodate rising traffic demand.
The scope on this project goes well past replacing the bridge deck. Crews will demolish the existing structure and build a new multi-span steel beam girder bridge in its place. The work also covers rebuilding the Keystone Avenue approaches, adding new retaining walls, upgrading drainage, and relocating utilities. A new multi-use path connecting to Vine Street is included as well, along with improvements to nearby roadways.
Preconstruction runs from the second quarter of 2026 through the first quarter of 2028. Major construction is expected to follow from the second quarter of 2028 through the third quarter of 2029. Once that construction phase is formally awarded, RTC anticipates the contract value landing between $50 million and $60 million.
Snapshot:
Project Name: Keystone Avenue Bridge Replacement Project
Joint Venture: Keystone Bridge Partners
JV Partners: Granite (NYSE: GVA), lead partner, and Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc.
Owner: Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County
Location: Reno, Nevada
Delivery Method: Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
Contract Phase Awarded: Preconstruction services
Original Bridge Built: 1966
Waterway Crossed: Truckee River
Scope: Demolition of existing bridge, new multi-span steel beam girder structure, reconstruction of Keystone Avenue approaches, new retaining walls, drainage improvements, utility relocations, new multi-use path connecting to Vine Street, nearby roadway improvements
Preconstruction Timeline: Q2 2026 to Q1 2028
Major Construction Timeline: Q2 2028 to Q3 2029
Anticipated Construction Value: $50 million to $60 million, tied to future construction phase award
TheJobWalk Thoughts
A preconstruction phase running nearly two years signals RTC wants the CMAR team involved early in shaping design and scope. Pricing hasn't been locked in yet, which makes now the time for subcontractors and suppliers to build a relationship with Granite and Condon-Johnson directly. Waiting for a bid package to surface once construction nears in 2028 means competing against relationships that were already built.
The drainage and utility relocation scope is worth watching closely. That kind of underground work commonly gets priced and locked in ahead of structural packages on CMAR jobs, since it has to be resolved before substructure work can start. Contractors in the Reno market who handle utility or drainage scope should use this window to get in front of the JV while trade packages are still being shaped.
