NDOT Future Plans For Northeast Nebraska Expressway
LINCOLN- The Nebraska Department of Transportation has released an update on ongoing efforts to convert the remaining 48 miles of Highway 275 between Norfolk and Fremont from a two-lane highway to a four-lane expressway. The expansion will increase capacity and support economic growth along a key roadway connecting Nebraska’s northeast communities to the state’s urban hub.
The southernmost portion of Highway 275, the Scribner to West Point segment, is currently in the procurement stage of a design-build delivery project. The procurement is being done concurrent with development of an Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate constraints and permitting issues associated with wetlands, frequent flooding and levees along the proposed alignment. Highway 275 Scribner to West Point will improve 18.5 miles of Highway 275 in Cuming and Dodge Counties. The rural portions of the corridor will be upgraded from a two-lane highway to a four‑lane expressway with a bypass constructed around Scribner. A five-lane two-way-left-turn-lane section will be constructed north and south of the existing four-lane section in West Point. The US Army Corps of Engineers and NDOT have been working together to keep the proposed project timeline of construction in 2021, with hope work could begin as soon as the agencies could agree on plans for environmental impacts.
The northernmost portion from Norfolk to Wisner is set to be constructed in two segments. In 2019, NDOT selected a consultant to lead work to improve the approximate 16 miles of Highway 275 from North Highway 57 just east of Norfolk to the east junction of Highway 275 and North Highway 15 to Wisner. Preliminary design and National Environmental Policy Act review are currently underway and expected to be complete in 2020.
The NDOT submitted an application for the US Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Transportation Discretionary Grants program to support construction of the Norfolk to North Highway 15 portion of Highway 275 in July. Funding for the project was not included in the list of 55 projects selected for the $900 million in grants announced by U.S. Secretary Elaine Chao on November 12.
Norfolk to North Highway 15 covers 10 miles from the intersection of Highway 275 and North Highway 57 east of Norfolk to the east junction of Highway 275 with North Highway 15. The additional segment of North Highway 15 to Wisner covers the remaining five-and-a-half miles of the highway. The project expands the existing two-lane highway to a four-lane expressway by constructing a new, parallel, two-lane roadway on one side of the existing Highway 275. A Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Resurfacing strategy would also be applied to the existing two lanes to extend the life of the roadway.
Wisner to West Point west of Pilger is currently funded for design with construction estimated between 2024 and 2033.
