With the Nevada Department of Transportation releasing a new 3D rendering about its preferred alternative plan for improving the Reno-Sparks Spaghetti Bowl, the community now has a clearer idea of what the proposed changes will look like.

Of three alternatives presented, one is especially getting attention as NDOT's preferred plan.

In addition to improving the flow of traffic, one key goal for the project is to improve safety by reducing accidents from vehicle weaving, said Meg Ragonese, NDOT spokeswoman, during a public meeting on Wednesday. Ragonese told the Reno Gazette Journal that NDOT felt that “Alternative 2” best meets the Spaghetti Bowl Project’s goals of “reducing (displacements and environmental) impact as much as possible while maximizing traffic safety and mobility as much as possible.”

NDOT:Displacement of up to 2,000 residents ‘biggest impact’ of Spaghetti Bowl Project

One way the proposed plan does this is by widening roads, adding lanes and incorporating braided ramps. Braided ramps reduce congestion by separating vehicles that merge onto a freeway or interchange as opposed to funneling them all into one ramp.

The Spaghetti Bowl Project’s proposed improvements will impact ramps and lanes between Wells Avenue and East McCarran Boulevard on Interstate 80 and between Clear Acre Lane and Kietzke Lane on U.S. Highway 395 and Interstate 580.

Here’s a look at how the plan impacts the aforementioned areas.

Wells, Oddie and Glendale

Access to the northern section of Wells Avenue from I-580 will now come from either Oddie Boulevard or Glendale Avenue, according to NDOT.

VIEW FROM SOUTHBOUND I-580/US 395

Conversely, access to Oddie Boulevard from I-80 will come from Wells Avenue.

VIEW FROM I-80 HEADING EAST TOWARD SPAGHETTI BOWL

To improve the weaving situation on the southbound Second Street/Glendale Avenue interchange, there will be three continuous southbound lanes through the Spaghetti Bowl.

Mill Street

A southbound braided ramp will be added between Mill Street and Second Street/Glendale Avenue.

VIEW FROM SOUTHBOUND I-580 JUST BEFORE MILL ST.

Plumb Lane

Want to see the potential future of Plumb Lane? Then check out Moana Lane's current connection to the freeway. A diverging diamond interchange similar to the one used in Moana Lane will be constructed on Plumb Lane under NDOT's preferred plan.

Rock Boulevard and The Nugget

Freeway access to Rock Boulevard and Fourth Street will be combined at the northern part of Kietzke Lane, with slip ramps also to be incorporated to and from Rock Boulevard. There also will be a new intersection at Rock Boulevard and Nugget Avenue.

VIEW FROM EASTBOUND I-80 TOWARD ROCK BLVD.

The Nugget Avenue viaduct bridge also will be widened. It currently has three lanes and will grow to four to five lanes depending on the section.

VIEW FROM EASTBOUND I-80 NEAR NUGGET

Clear Acre and North Mccarran

Clear Acre Lane and North McCarran Boulevard will each add a southbound lane, NDOT said.

VIEW FROM SOUTHBOUND US 395 BEFORE CLEAR ACRE AND MCCARRAN

Reno-Tahoe International Airport

NDOT says it didn’t have time to include the direct southbound connection into the airport in its latest video. However, the agency says it is working on plans to include it. The direct northbound exit from the airport to the freeway, however, will not be kept and will be removed.

Spaghetti Bowl wrap-up

Here’s a summary of key features that the NDOT plan will have for the Spaghetti Bowl:

Ramp braids with most adjacent interchanges.

Two-lane ramps for most traffic movements.

Direct connect ramp for the south-to-east ramp.

Semi-direct ramp for north-to-west traffic.

A loop for west-to-south traffic.

Wells eastbound entrance is fixed with a braid for the east-to-north ramp. Larger weaving distance also will be added for east to south traffic.

Jason Hidalgo covers business, technology and gaming for the Reno Gazette-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @jasonhidalgo. Support local journalism: RGJ digital subscription.