'God's country' in growth's crosshairs: Report calls for new I

City of Omaha closes portion of 14th street for up to three years

Traffic on Interstate 80 goes underneath the Capehart Road bridge in Sarpy County on Monday. The area was identified in a recently released study as the best location for a new I-80 interchange.

OMAHA — There's an unbroken 7-mile stretch of Interstate 80 at Omaha's southwest border that feels to some like stepping back in time.

The warehouses and truck stops and fast-food joints near the Nebraska 370 exit give way to open space and farmland and rolling hills, all the way to Nebraska 31, the gateway to Gretna — and then beyond, to the Platte River and Ashland.

"God's country," was one resident's description in a 2020 survey by the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency.

But in western Sarpy County, the times, they are a-changin’.

Residential and industrial growth between Gretna, Papillion and Springfield have squeezed the capacity on the two-lane roads that service the area, causing traffic jams at the two interchanges that bookend the bucolic stretch of freeway.

Area planners recommending construction of a new I-80 interchange identified 192nd Street/Capehart Road as the best option. A second choice was identified at 168th Street/Schram Road.

Faced with that reality, area planners are recommending construction of a new I-80 interchange, with 192nd Street/Capehart Road as the best option among six locations along the route. A second choice was identified at 168th Street/Schram Road.

The recommendations come from a 2½-year study by the planning agency, in cooperation with Sarpy County and the cities of Papillion and Gretna, on how best to address traffic on I-80 in western Sarpy County. The resulting report was released earlier this month, marking an important step for a proposal that is still years from becoming reality.

"We’re really thinking about this through the lens of access to I-80," said Mike Helgerson, executive director of the planning agency. "(The roads) are failing today. And with the anticipated growth, they’re going to degrade even further."

The study, by the six-county Metropolitan Area Planning Agency in conjunction with the cities of Gretna and Papillion, studied six possible locations for future interchanges on Interstate 80 in western Sarpy County. The preferred option: at 192nd Street/Capehart Road, roughly halfway between the two nearest exits at Highway 370 and Highway 31.

Sen. Jen Day's district includes the area encompassed in the study, and she's experienced the longstanding traffic woes.

"Anyone who lives in the area knows how congested it is," she said. "It slows everything down. I think the growth in western Sarpy County has far surpassed the need for this."

At the proposed 192nd/Capehart interchange, snug up against the fields of the popular Vala's Pumpkin Patch, there already is a two-lane bridge over the highway. It is near the midpoint between the Nebraska 370 and Nebraska 31 exits.

Helgerson said the study — which also looked at 180th Street, 204th Street/Fairview Road, Platteview Road, and Pflug Road — showed it would draw the most traffic while doing the most to improve local travel times and relieve traffic jams at the nearby interchanges.

The MAPA study looked at six possible locations for future I-80 interchanges in western Sarpy County. It selected 192nd Street/Capehart Road as the best alternative because it would do the most to ease jams at the two nearest existing exits, Highway 370 and Highway 31 and would raise the fewest utility and environmental concerns.

It would also face fewer utility relocation and environmental hurdles, he said. And it was the most popular option in surveys.

If built, it would be the first new I-80 interchange in the Omaha metro area since 1992, when the Giles Road/Harrison Street exit opened in La Vista.

Still, there are those who would like to see the stretch left as it is.

"I do not want the area to change," wrote one respondent to the 2020 survey. "I believe the current interchanges are adequate, and there is not need for another."

Traffic on Interstate 80 goes underneath the Capehart Road bridge in Sarpy County on Monday. The area was identified in a recently released study as the best location for a new I-80 interchange.

"Very sad to see country life we once loved disappearing at such a rapid pace," said another.

The problem, Helgerson said, is that the county and nearby cities already have targeted the area for growth in their land-use plans. And plenty of development is already there.

"We’re seeing such a high level of growth, a lot of what we projected already has been met," he said.

But there's still a long way to go before the first shovel of dirt is turned on a new interchange.

Helgerson said the next step is acceptance of the study by the Nebraska Department of Transportation. In the next phase, the Transportation Department must start preliminary engineering plans for the interchange, complete a federally mandated environmental study, and prepare a formal "Interchange Justification Report" for the Federal Highway Administration, which oversees the interstate highway system.

Traffic on Interstate 80 goes underneath the Capehart Road bridge in Sarpy County on Monday. The area was identified in a recently released study as the best location for a new I-80 interchange.

Then the Transportation Department must slot the interchange among its list of priorities for federal highway funding. Helgerson said planners have estimated the cost of the project at roughly $25 million-$30 million, but that doesn't account for pandemic-era or future inflation.

And while the federal government would cover up to 80% of the construction cost, other entities — presumably state and local governments — would have to cough up the rest. Then the state would have to purchase the land, bid out the project and actually build the interchange.

Helgerson figures even if the process goes smoothly, it could take 10 years.

"We’re going to work with NDOT to advance this as rapidly as possible," he said. "But it is a long process to get through all of this."

For Day and many of her constituents, the process can't happen fast enough.

"I think it's fantastic," she said. "I wish this had happened a lot earlier. This is just long overdue."

The view from the South Beltway ramp onto southbound U.S. 77 near Saltillo Road.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts waves as he departs the opening ceremony to ride along the new Lincoln South Beltway on Wednesday.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and other officials give brief remarks during an opening ceremony for the new South Beltway on Wednesday.

A Bennet fire truck drives onto the Lincoln South Beltway following an opening ceremony on Wednesday.

Minutes after Wednesday's opening ceremony, a car enters the South Beltway via U.S. 77.

John Selmer, director of Nebraska's Department of Transportation, speaks at the opening ceremony for the Lincoln South Beltway.

Gov. Pete Ricketts holds a commemorative plaque presented to government officials during an opening ceremony for the new Lincoln South Beltway on Wednesday.

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird addresses those in attendance during an opening ceremony for the new South Beltway on Wednesday.

Lincoln mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird (center) addresses a crowd of workers and dignitaries during an opening ceremony for the new beltway on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Lincoln South Beltway in Lincoln.

Lincoln mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird listens to opening statements by governor Ricketts during an opening ceremony for the new beltway on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Lincoln South Beltway in Lincoln.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts speaks during an opening ceremony for the new beltway on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Lincoln South Beltway in Lincoln.

Nebraska state Sen. Suzanne Geist is seen in the crowd during an opening ceremony for the new Lincoln South Beltway on Wednesday.

Chris Hawkins remarks on the hard work put in by Hawkins Construction employees to complete the South Beltway project months ahead of schedule.

This fall, volunteers with the Bennet and Hickman fire departments worked with other agencies, including StarCare, to prepare to respond to incidents on the new South Beltway. "This is a different character of traffic than what we are used to working with," said Art Robertson, the acting chief of Hickman Rural Fire and Rescue.

This fall, volunteers with the Bennet and Hickman rural fire departments worked with other agencies, including StarCare, to prepare to respond to incidents on the new South Beltway. "This is a different character of traffic than what we are used to working with," said Art Robertson, the acting chief of Hickman Rural Fire and Rescue.

A portion of Lincoln's new South Beltway intersection with U.S. 77 is photographed by a drone, just outside on Lincoln city limits on Dec. 3. The South beltway is set to open Dec. 14, six months earlier than expected. The 11 mile freeway is one of the city's largest construction projects to date.

A portion of Lincoln's new South Beltway intersection with U.S. 77 is photographed by a drone, just outside on Lincoln city limits on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. The South Beltway is currently set to open Dec. 14, which is six months earlier than expected. The 11-mile freeway is one of the city's largest construction projects to date.

Officials constructed an elaborate interchange where the beltway intersects with U.S. 77 and Saltillo Road. Included is a nearly half-mile ramp for traffic headed south toward Beatrice.

A portion of Lincoln's new South Beltway intersection with U.S. 77 is photographed by a drone, just outside on Lincoln city limits on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.

Cars and trucks traveling on the new South Beltway will flow directly onto U.S. 77 at the west interchange that also connects to Saltillo Road. The new four-lane expressway is to open Wednesday.

Construction crews continue to work on Lincoln's South Beltway, which is set to open in the coming weeks, on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at South 68th Street Bridge in Lincoln.

Construction crews are wrapping up work on the South Beltway, which is expected to open to traffic Dec. 14.

Lincoln's South Beltway will open Dec. 14. Construction on the long-anticipated 11-mile freeway linking U.S. 77 and Nebraska 2 began in 2020.

Construction crews continue to work on Lincoln's South Beltway, which is set to open in the coming weeks, on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at South 68th Street Bridge in Lincoln.

On the west end of the 11-mile project, crews are connecting the South Beltway with U.S. 77.

With the recently completed Saltillo Road bridge in the distance, work continues on the new southbound lanes of U.S. 77 on Wednesday.

Nearly a half-mile long, the flyover bridge will carry westbound beltway traffic onto southbound U.S. 77.

The flyover bridge that will connect U.S. 77 to the South Beltway has nearly a half-mile of steel beams.

The flyover bridge that will connect U.S. 77 to the South Beltway has steel beams laid the entire west to east distance on Wednesday.

The flyover bridge that will connect U.S. 77 to the South Beltway has steel beams laid the entire west to east distance.

Work continues on South Beltway bridges that cross South 25th Street, Salt Creek, the Jamaica North Trail and railroad tracks.

The flyover bridge that will connect U.S. 77 to the South Beltway has steel beams laid the entire west to east distance on Wednesday.

Curt Mueting, district construction engineer for the state of Nebraska, shows some of the printed South Beltway plans on Wednesday,.

Projects like the South Beltway helped to keep the construction sector growing since the onset of the pandemic.

LINCOLN, NEB. - 02/14/2022 - The construction of an interchange connecting South Beltway with Nebraska Highway 2 is seen in this photo taken on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Work continues to build an interchange at the east end of the new South Beltway this month. Developers point to the area where the current Nebraska 2 intersects with the beltway as a magnet for residential and business growth, but city leaders say expansion in that area is still years away.

Lincoln, NE - 5/12/2021 - The flyover bridge that will connect U.S. 77 to the South Beltway stretches to the southwest as construction work continues on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Construction continues on the South Beltway at the future 82nd Street interchange in November.

Construction continues on the South Beltway on the east side of U.S. 77 on Nov. 17. Business representatives have hailed the impact that the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill could have in Nebraska to repair highways and bridges.

Construction continues on the South Beltway southwest of 98th Street on Nov. 17. Business representatives have hailed the impact that the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill could have in Nebraska to repair highways and bridges.

Construction continues on the South Beltway on the east side of U.S. 77 on Nov. 17. Nebraska set another record for low unemployment for the month.

Construction of the South Beltway proceeds in this photo from South 68th Street looking east on Wednesday.

The 68th Street interchange will initally be the only access point open in the middle of the South Beltway. Construction to complete interchanges at Jamaica Avenue and 82nd Street is expected to wrap up next year.

A new 68th Street bridge spans the South Beltway.

Construction of the South Beltway is seen in this photo taken from South 54th Street looking east on July 21.

Construction of the South Beltway is seen in this photo taken from South 68th Street looking west on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

South 68th Street from Saltillo Road to Bennet Road reopened for traffic on Wednesday.

The new 68th Street bridge spans the South Beltway.

Lincoln, NE - 6/29/2021 - Construction traffic crosses the South Beltway on the newly completed Saltillo Road bridge between South 96th and South 98th Streets on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Construction traffic crosses the newly completed Saltillo Road bridge over the South Beltway on Tuesday. The bridge is to open Wednesday, allowing traffic to connect to South 96th and South 98th streets.

Oversized South Beltway bridge girders are being moved in this photo taken from the Mopac Trail bridge over North 27th Street on May 18.

Semis shuttle bridge girders down North 27th Street on Tuesday afternoon on a trip across town. The girders will be used for bridge construction on the South Beltway.

Lincoln, NE - 5/12/2021 - Construction work continues on the flyover bridge that will connect U.S. 77 to the South Beltway on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Lincoln, NE - 5/12/2021 - An overpass carries Saltillo Road over the South Beltway on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

The flyover bridge that will connect U.S. 77 to the South Beltway stretches to the southwest as construction work continues on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

The South Beltway is taking shape just west of South 68th Street.

The 2,245-foot flyover bridge that will carry drivers west on Nebraska 2 to south on U.S. 77.

The "most complicated" piece of the South Beltway, the flyover bridge, will connect westbound Nebraska 2 travelers with U.S. 77 south.

The Saltillo Road overpass over the South Beltway on the east edge of Lincoln is nearly ready for concrete.

Construction work on the South Beltway east of South 82nd Street.

Construction continues on the South Beltway bridge over South 25th Street.

Lincoln, NE - 5/12/2021 - Construction work on the South Beltway just west of South 68th Street continues on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

MAKING HEADWAY

Construction work on the South Beltway continues near Saltillo Road on Monday. Crews have been working on the 11-mile bypass for just about a year and it's scheduled to be finished in 2023.

Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Kyle Schneweis speaks at an event on Oct. 8 to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway.

Crews work on the Lincoln South Beltway continues U.S. 77 south of Saltillo Road on Oct. 8. The state unemployment rate last month reached the same level it was at in October 2019.

Lincoln, NE - 10/9/2020 - Hawks Construction COO Chris Hawkins shows the transaction and pricing documents for the Lincoln South Beltway at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Lincoln, NE - 10/9/2020 - Lincoln mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird speaks at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Lincoln, NE - 10/9/2020 - Construction of the Lincoln South Beltway continues near U.S. 77 south of Saltillo Road on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Lincoln, NE - 10/9/2020 - Traffic on U.S. 77 is reduced to two lanes to accommodate construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird (from left), state Sen. Mike Hilgers, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Sen. Deb Fisher, Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Kyle Schneweis and Hawkins Construction COO Chris Hawkins listen as Gov. Pete Ricketts speaks at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Thursday.

Lincoln mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird speaks at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway last October.

Lincoln, NE - 10/9/2020 - Gov. Pete Ricketts (L) listens as Rep. Jeff Fortenberry is introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Oct. 8.

Sen. Deb Fischer speaks at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Oct. 8.

Lincoln, NE - 10/9/2020 - Nebraska Sen. Mike Hilgers speaks at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Lincoln, NE - 10/9/2020 - Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (L) and Sen. Deb Fischer listen to Gov. Pete Ricketts at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Work continues on the South Beltway interchange at 68th Street, looking north toward Lincoln and the site of a new high school at 70th Street and Saltillo Road.

An aerial view, looking northeast, shows crews digging where the South Beltway will pass under a bridge built on Saltillo Road near 98th Street.

An aerial view, looking northwest, shows construction crews shaping the interchange tying U.S. 77 to the South Beltway.

Curt Mueting, a district construction engineer with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, said project managers meet weekly to update a rolling three-week outline of deadlines to keep South Beltway construction on schedule.

Crews have completed significant work on a roundabout at the intersection of Saltillo Road and South 14th Street that is a part of the South Beltway project.

To allow crews to build a new Saltillo Road interchange, Saltillo Road will be diverted onto a temporary road linking to a new intersection with U.S. 77.

Workers dig into the ground near 98th Street and Saltillo Road, where the South Beltway will pass under a bridge to be built for Saltillo Road traffic.

Crews are at work building the South Beltway interchange with U.S. 77. Work is shown looking east from just south of Saltillo Road.

Construction on the South Beltway (shown looking south) has focused on the interchange with U.S. 77 southwest of Lincoln. The work has closed the northbound lanes of U.S. 77 in the area.

MAKING PROGRESS

Construction crews work on the South Beltway south of Saltillo Road near South 38th Street on Monday. The long-awaited bypass is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

Lincoln, NE - 6/29/2020 - Construction for the South Beltway keeps South 68th Street closed south of Saltillo Road on Monday, June 29, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Progress on the South Beltway in mid-June.

A drone photograph shows early phases of construction along U.S. 77 near Saltillo Road where it will intersect with the new South Beltway.

Construction begins on the South Beltway south of the intersection of U.S. 77 and Saltillo Road on Monday.

Demolition of Majors Cafe continues on March 23 at the intersection of Saltillo Road and U.S. 77 as part of construction of the South Beltway.

Crews worked this winter to clear a farmstead southeast of U.S. 77 and Saltillo Road ahead of construction set to begin this spring on the South Beltway.

Majors Cafe, on the southeast corner of Saltillo Road and U.S. 77, will have its last day of business Saturday. The state has purchased the site for the South Beltway.

Lincoln South Beltway by the numbers.

Take a drive down what will be the new Hwy 2

The Lincoln South Beltway is a 4-lane freeway under construction near the city of Lincoln, NE. It will eventually link US Highway 77 in the west and Nebraska Highway 2 in the east. The project is being built by Hawkins construction and is being substantially funded by the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Construction began in March of 2020, and is scheduled to be open to traffic in April of 2023. In this video, you can see that traffic has been diverted onto the new Saltillo Road bridge over US-77. Additionally, US-77 traffic has been diverted onto the permanent southbound lanes. The 54th Street bridge has also been opened to traffic, and the bridge decks at 27th St and Nebraska Parkway have been poured!

I am not in any way officially involved with the project. I am only making these videos for fun and public education.

Music used in this video courtesy of the Youtube Audio Library.

Thanks a lot for watching. If you want to see more of these updates, feel free to subscribe!

#Lincoln #SouthBeltway #Construction

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Watch a drone as it travels the path for the South Beltway near Lincoln.

Construction began in March of 2020, and is scheduled to be open to traffic in April of 2023. In this video, you can see that steel girders have been placed as well as decking and rebar for the bridge carrying northbound US-77 traffic over the beltway. Additionally, the mse retaining walls and piles have been installed for the bridge carrying 54th street over the beltway. Work is ongoing on the east interchange as temporary paving has been installed to carry N-2 traffic while the existing eastbound lanes are removed and reconstructed.

I am not in any way officially involved with the project. I am only making these videos for fun and public education.

Music used in this video courtesy of the Youtube Audio Library.

Thanks a lot for watching. If you want to see more of these updates, feel free to subscribe!

#Lincoln #SouthBeltway #Construction

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thefourfoot?fan_landing=true

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Construction began in March of 2020, and is scheduled to be open to traffic in April of 2023. In this video, you can see that the former northbound lanes of US-77 have been removed and regraded. The temporary retaining wall supporting the northbound lanes at Saltillo road has been removed and a new permanent wall is being built on the west side of the US-77 right of way. Girders have been installed for the bridge that will carry the northbound US-77 off ramp. Progress can also be seen on the east end of the beltway where the new alignment of Nebraska Parkway (current N-2) has been graded.

I am not in any way officially involved with the project. I am only making these videos for fun and public education.

Music used in this video courtesy of the Youtube Audio Library.

Thanks a lot for watching. If you want to see more of these updates, feel free to subscribe!

#Lincoln #SouthBeltway #Construction

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thefourfoot?fan_landing=true

South Beltway bridge girders roll down 27th Street, Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

We’re officially in the second year of construction!

Construction began in March of 2020, and is scheduled to be open to traffic in April of 2023. In this video, you can see more steel bridge girders being installed at the Westbound N-2 to Southbound US-77 flyover! The intersection at 70th Street and Saltillo Road has been removed and the future roundabout is beginning to take shape. Additionally, you can see the bridge deck of the 68th Street overpass being poured, and the 5 precast concrete bridge girders have been installed on the eastern side of the Saltillo Road bridge between 98th and 96th streets.

I am not in any way officially involved with the project. I am only making these videos for fun and public education.

Music used in this video courtesy of the Youtube Audio Library.

Thanks a lot for watching. If you want to see more of these updates, feel free to subscribe!

#Lincoln #SouthBeltway #Construction

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thefourfoot?fan_landing=true

Originally published on omaha.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

MAKING HEADWAY MAKING PROGRESS