On Tuesday October 18, 2016, the City held a brief ribbon cutting ceremony and officially opened “new” Florence Way.

The new Florence Way contains three (3) phases.  Phase 1 began at Wendover Boulevard and continued west to Camper Drive and was completed in 2005.  Phase 2 and Phase 3 construction was completed on October 17^th with the completion of a Final Walk-through conducted by the City.  Phase 2 starts at Camper Drive and continues west to the new intersection at Mesa Street.  Phase 3 begins at Mesa Street and continues west connecting to a new portion of Laguna Drive. 

The three phased project was began to meet the provisions of the City’s Complete Streets Initiative as well as being a Safe Route to Schools project as part of the City’s Street, Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans.   The new street links the Elko County School District West Wendover Campus now located on the west end of the new street with business, residential and recreational areas heading east including the West Wendover Library and the West Wendover Recreation District Rec Center and Community Pool as well as Scobie Park and other facilities.

Mayor Emily Carter remarked, “This is another great accomplishment for the community.  Many residents don’t realize the tremendous efforts that are made to complete projects like new Florence Way.  Putting in place the kind of policies and planning work which take years to do, then followed by getting funding packages in place to make them a reality.  Though it is only a street, it is an important transportation  corridor for the community and always has been.  Now, it is fully serviceable, with all the components needed to make it a complete and safe street and a safe route to schools and recreational facilities for our children.   I would like to thank the City Manager for the work he has done as I know it began more than a decade ago when I first started my public service to the community as a Council Member; but today the project is a reality.  Additionally I would also like to thank Elko County School District for their efforts and investments in the community and the work of the Public Works Director, Chief Financial Officer and other Department Heads who all participated through the project's work.  Lastly but not least, the City Council which by working together as a team continue to stay the course moving our community plans forward."

Together the three phases of new Florence Way cost approximately $5million to complete.  The City greatly appreciates the additional funding partners for their investments in the project which included:  Elko County School District, Elko County Rural Transportation Commission, Nevada Governor’s Office on Economic Development (CDBG), Nevada Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.  In total over $1.2 million of the overall project was funded by grant funds.

Picture from Left: 

Fire Chief Jeff Knudtson; City Manager Chris Melville; City Clerk Anna Bartlome;Public Works Director Bryce Kimber; Council Member John Hanson; Mayor Emily Carter;Council Member Nick Flores; Police Chief Burdel Welsh; Council Member Jasie Holm;Chief Financial Officer Michelle Giovo

Mayor Carter leads the way on the first drive of new Florence Way