Washoe County is moving forward with a major infrastructure upgrade that will reshape access to one of northern Nevada’s most iconic destinations.
At Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, leaders approved a capital improvement project worth just over $30 million to rehabilitate Washoe County Road 34 — the main route into the Black Rock Desert and the annual home of Burning Man.
The project is being funded largely through a $29 million Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant, awarded in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and the Bureau of Land Management. Washoe County will contribute $1.8 million to close the funding gap.
County officials say the nine-mile stretch of Road 34 has seen significant wear over the years, especially with the huge influx of traffic during Burning Man, which draws about 75,000 people every year. The roadway’s deteriorating surface and limited safety features have created challenges for both everyday travelers and large-scale event traffic.
The upcoming improvements will include:
Full-depth pavement reconstructionSafer shoulder edgesNew and upgraded culvertsImproved aprons and intersectionsA new deceleration and turn lane leading to the well-known “8 Mile” entrance
Planning and design are expected to take place over the next three years. The construction contract is scheduled to be awarded in late 2028, with the project slated for completion in early 2030.