Winnemucca, Storey County road projects endorsed by state panel

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998 | 8:43 a.m.

Humboldt County Commission Chairman Tom Fransway, who led a delegation of several city and county officials, said the local gasoline tax hike will help pay for about $631,000 of the total $1.8 million cost of rebuilding Haskell Street.

The street, used to reach the post office, hospital, city park, fairgrounds and various public offices in Winnemucca, is now separated by a dirt divider. And one side of the street is higher than the other in some areas, making U-turns impossible.

Gov. Bob Miller, chairman of the Transportation Board, said a key factor in the board's unanimous decision to approve the state funds was the fact that the city and county covered part of the cost.

In other action, the board approved a request by Storey County to repay its $568,000 share of a $3 million bridge project over five years and with no interest. The payments will start next October.

The project, designed to accommodate a dog food company that located in a new industrial park, was one of numerous "pork barrel" jobs approved by the 1995 Legislature.

The lawmakers, at the urging of Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, appropriated $1.5 million for a bridge off Interstate 80 that provided access to the industrial park.

Another $1 million was provided by the Transportation Department, and Storey County pledged to kick in the rest.