Ultimate Interstates:I-70 Extension
The Ultimate Interstate 70 extension would extend I-70 From its existing terminus in Utah westward to Fernley NV or Tonopah NV.
Northern Route
The northern route would generally follow existing US-50/6 route to Ely NV. From Ely the northern route follows along US-50 and then along ALT US-50 to Fallon ending at I-80 in Fernley NV.
Southern Route
The southern route would generally follow existing US-50/6 route to Ely NV. From there the interstate would generally follow US-6 to Coaldale NV near Tonopah NV and Bishop connecting to I-11 and ending at the High Desert Conceptual Corridor where at some point it could be extended westward into California as a second interstate route to the California Central valley and Fresno or possibly to the Bay Area region. The interstate could also be part of a new numbered interstate identified here as the High Desert Conceptual Corridor which could be given a new interstate route designation and would serve as a partial replacement for US-395 and CA-14 from Coaldale NV via Bishop CA to the Antelope Valley.
Purpose and Need
To promote interstate continuity and provide a link to the current west end of I-70 for several major cities such as Reno, Sacramento and the Bay Area.
Preferred Routing
Since the likelihood of traversing the central Sierra Nevada mountains is low due to the high elevations and associated construction costs the southern route is likely impractical. Favoring the northern route is preferred even though the route travels through largely desolate areas on its way westward. Despite this the additional connection to existing I-70 to points west makes this highway justifiable.