LINCOLN, Neb. – A significant development has taken place in Lincoln as a project to construct an extended bridge over railroad tracks near 33rd and Cornhusker was officially introduced during an open house event at Lincoln North Star High School on Thursday evening. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities department, aiming to address long-standing issues in the area.
The location is one of the busiest spots in the city, with dozens of trains passing through daily. This heavy rail traffic often leads to gridlock, particularly during peak hours. Dunia Almusa, an office manager for A&B Autosales, a business situated near the railroad crossing, shared her concerns about the impact of this traffic.
“Especially when you leave right at 3 o’clock when school times, when I have to go pick up my kids or at 5 o’clock when I have to leave,” she said. “It has been a struggle.”
Almusa mentioned that her business is already dealing with construction work nearby, and this new project will add to the challenges. However, she remains optimistic about the long-term benefits.
“It’s going to be worth it because at the end it’s going to help, you know, get the street more busy and is going to attract more customers to us. So I guess definitely it’s going to be a lot of help,” she added.
Roger Figard, who has been involved in the project for several months, emphasized the importance of safety. He highlighted that cars often sit at the two railroad crossings for 3 to 3 1/2 hours each day, leading to frustration among drivers and pedestrians.
“Anybody walking on a bike or in a car, they always lose if there’s a confrontation with the train,” Figard said. “Safety is a top priority.”
Construction on the project is set to begin in 2027 and is expected to conclude around 2031. During this time, heavy traffic is anticipated, which could pose additional challenges for residents and businesses in the area.
A local property owner shared their perspective, stating that the project will improve access to key roads.
“Sometimes it is hard getting on the Cornhusker Highway and getting off the 33rd and that. So I think it’s going to be a good thing,” the property owner said.
Figard also provided details about the project’s funding. The total cost is estimated at $125 million, with $25 million coming from taxpayer money. The remaining funds are sourced from various grant programs.
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