[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6656974,"mediaKeyId","5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0","parentId",5107990,"title","NDOT district 8 officials say preservation spending must keep pace to hold good road conditions","audioSeconds",491,"startMs",222000,"endMs",713000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0&start=222&end=713","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0/thumbnail_222000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656974/Nebraska/NDOT-district-8-officials-say-preservation-spending-must-keep-pace-to-hold-good-road-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656974-19dd4992aaf858fd101621288da643d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651217&Signature=MaL0nM9xrG04Ptyl66ORnBR9ANIU6Bc~EGvJhboGLH5VU5vqf8WV~tXF1qSaIO031UnWvvNuvVTIP6tpOO20z-AEO09qWtOdOhu~BdtsMxBtBO6wg40F0adKB38DvCeaqVKe5tq7hUcp3zZ~Fo~lxLugo5YZ3gWd8RlvtBf0Tcm~gaotJy5tBOjv-M7woGy9Fh-PO5NfqBJSMMIXN0Ul62BKQTeB2Ow1sT5xKRD5EUrSScUk1MKs0jkmfSCXyMJxDdiFqKGquoWZtg0nS-HXGX5zGR~5xIaEEh1FioEn3CtXSjDvCkv~dp1J~6XPrjmIHG5wfVd4-l8MUPD47-6How__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Department of Transportation","date","2025-06-30T20:07:20Z","article","O'Neill — Nebraska Department of Transportation District 8 engineers told the State Highway Commission on June 27 that pavement condition in the north-central Nebraska district is generally strong but requires steady investment to avoid rapid deterioration.

Mark Kovar, District 8 engineer, told commissioners the district averages a Nebraska Serviceability Index of about 83 on a 0–100 scale, where values above 70 are considered “good.” He said the department uses the NSI, along with other measures, to estimate remaining service life and to prioritize resurfacing and preservation treatments.

Kovar said District 8 needs about $271 million over the next six years to reach the statewide NSI goal of 84.7; the district is currently funded at about $240 million for that same period. \"At this level, our pavement conditions will deteriorate faster than we should allow,\" he said.

Nut graf: NDOT officials argued that keeping \"good roads good\" is cheaper than letting pavements decline and rebuilding later. Commission discussion and public comments during the district program hearing focused on specific local projects, routine maintenance problems and techniques NDOT is using to stretch preservation dollars.

Kovar outlined how the NSI is calculated from observable pavement distresses such as rutting, faulting and cracking. He said pavements near an NSI of 100 typically have 15–20 years of service life, while pavements near 70 have reached the end of optimal service life and need resurfacing.

Jason Lane, district construction engineer, reviewed the district's construction program for 2025. He said District 8 is managing about 20 construction projects worth roughly $86 million this season — a one-year record for the district — and that 12 projects were active at the time of the hearing. Lane said the district will resurface about 62 miles of state highway, apply microsurfacing to about 112 miles, and repair five bridges this season.

District staff highlighted several large projects completed or under way, including a bridge replacement near Valentine built with very large girders to preserve wildlife passage through the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, a rehabilitation of roughly seven miles on Highway 11 north of Butte, and an urban reconstruction on West Fourth Street in Valentine. Lane said smaller but essential work, such as roadway striping, has become significantly more expensive — striping costs in recent years have more than doubled — and the district has updated specifications to improve retroreflectivity and extend striping life.

The district also described innovations it is deploying to reduce long-term costs, including cured-in-place culvert liners to extend service life without full replacement, and a higher-performance concrete mix developed with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for bridge decks.

During the public comment portion, local residents raised concerns about recurring pavement failures and rough segments. Scott Menish of O'Neill asked about chronic potholes and a rough segment through Nielly (phonetic), and Holt and Boyd County highway superintendent Gary Connet asked about restrictions and slide activity affecting local routes and bridges east and south of O'Neill. District staff said some locations are monitored and subject to geotechnical study and that larger replacements are programmed in future years. For example, the O'Neill southeast bridge replacements were scheduled in the district program for 2029.

Ending: NDOT officials said they will continue public outreach and finalize project lists for 2026 and beyond. The commission proceeded to consider separate agenda items and resolutions for specific corridor projects later in the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 27th, 2025 | NDOT Highway Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","O'Neill — Nebraska Department of Transportation District 8 engineers told the State Highway Commission on June 27 that pavement condition in the north-central Nebraska district is generally strong but requires steady investment to avoid rapid deterioration.","taxTitle","Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), State Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Nebraska","taxId",29124,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656964,"NDOT seeks approval to build Central City viaduct, commission recommends relinquishment of short segment of Highway 14",873,3000000,3873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0&start=3000&end=3873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0/thumbnail_3000000.jpg","/articles/6656964/Nebraska/NDOT-seeks-approval-to-build-Central-City-viaduct-commission-recommends-relinquishment-of-short-segment-of-Highway-14","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656964-3d828ff9707f52b89ac941bf5c18c93b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651217&Signature=WNg7L3Q-hNyaa9kP6xwPutkV4vNQHKt5q2~~rzkW3XSPrjKJyC~U5A6RI0SljejdC4xmFZfEDyIgfU1SAH3iCV~eWvdXoK~06L~LZ2jUnQrmZxQi7zQ2yz9gWANJPNveS63BT6m4sIYqNnQScvuoZRuev2QQvddsWMK7-XTvC~aAH462esTW9aQNDmnRGSeWDpNFsBUbuFUwv89I5rT1dGBCY-NOag-w0q-5vpHl-xkkNa~eQZ9O0e61B~UQ78mrl9fDm-GRlBWxIL3VasUzioCX7~lgNac8xUdZb3Ai12KxEqVhzBS7gHa7OL9odZKD-yhNsbVtFf2FmkmcxSWWBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Central City — The Nebraska Department of Transportation presented final design features for a grade‑separation viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad in Central City and asked the State Highway Commission to recommend corridor location, design, use of access control and the relinquishment of a short segment of existing Highway 14.

Brandy Neumann, state roadway design engineer for NDOT, outlined a preferred alternative that would relocate a portion of Highway 14, construct a curved two‑lane viaduct with pedestrian accommodations, reconfigure the downtown intersection of US‑30 and Highway 14 into one‑way pairs in that area, and construct a roundabout where the relocated Highway 14 ties back to the existing highway. The design includes sidewalks, a 10‑foot shared‑use path on part of the new alignment to meet pedestrian needs, and retaining walls in constrained areas to limit property impacts.

Nut graf: NDOT said the project would remove an at‑grade railroad crossing, reduce train/vehicle conflicts and address severe operational and safety issues at the US‑30/Highway 14 intersection. The department presented a final environmental assessment and said the Federal Highway Administration has made a finding of no significant impact for the project.

Neumann said NDOT and Central City executed a program agreement in November 2024 committing the city to accept relinquishment of the short segment of Highway 14 from US‑30 to Tenth Street after NDOT reconstructs and repairs the roadway for transition to local control. NDOT's preliminary cost estimate for the viaduct is about $36 million, funded with federal, state, local and Union Pacific Railroad contributions. Right‑of‑way acquisition would begin in 2025 and construction could begin as early as 2027 with an anticipated two‑year construction duration.

Commission action: The commission voted to recommend approval of corridor location, design, use of access control and relinquishment to the governor as required by Nebraska law (resolution number 2025‑3). Recorded responses on the record at the vote were affirmative.

Ending: NDOT staff said final design and right‑of‑way work will continue, and the department will return with further details during the right‑of‑way and design phases.","Central City — The Nebraska Department of Transportation presented final design features for a grade‑separation viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad in Central City and asked the State Highway Commission to recommend corridor location, design, use of access control and the relinquishment of a short segment of existing Highway 14.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656969,"NDOT seeks commission recommendation for US‑26/L‑62A four‑lane Minatare corridor; FONSI signed",682,2190000,2872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0&start=2190&end=2872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0/thumbnail_2190000.jpg","/articles/6656969/Nebraska/NDOT-seeks-commission-recommendation-for-US26L62A-fourlane-Minatare-corridor-FONSI-signed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656969-50fdfab3af1f92e5054866c0edeb4cde/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651217&Signature=Emri6jpAlMAXu3hL4H-57Yv5nM7K5TyzUCxU05gAYDJ-cmOREQPvkkhFAqxNwS5YcnkiBh4iYfSDWx~h8khD96uHAONGH77Bh1NAfH4I7itvVCi1FZ4uiXHfcTEhV08HP3yWFGjeS2vcxuOEHOGkbXBzkSNRT-2dL3mMIMdHdf3~Lz8OYhxcOwujEAUzLdJt1b8uIa3U6QNLltFoeYrU80m7VCrZxIeRezfFy3VuGbs2F~eYvnAqoODJSHJCyob9j2uRjj1VzyGs3A5zSb3ZGmDOcAlovB-Q7gZ~HbEkkW9havnvJyU9QlR3gHvglE1FONSTt8Srs4973x374wEZVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","O'Neill — The Nebraska Department of Transportation asked the State Highway Commission on June 27 to recommend corridor location, design and access control for the US‑26/L‑62A corridor project between Minatare and the junction with US‑385.

Donna (last name not specified), project studies engineer in NDOT's Project Development division, told commissioners the final environmental assessment is complete and the Federal Highway Administration signed a Finding of No Significant Impact on May 9. The recommended design would expand the existing two‑lane corridor to a four‑lane divided highway using a “2+2” configuration that adds two new lanes adjacent to existing lanes to reduce detours during construction.

Nut graf: NDOT described the project as filling a longstanding gap in the Heartland Expressway corridor, improving safety and mobility and meeting federal and state legislative intent for designated corridors. The department requested the commission recommend to the governor approval of the corridor location, design and use of access control as required by Nebraska Revised Statute 39‑1327.

Donna said the project extends about 18.5 miles from US‑26 west of Minatare through Minatare and east along L‑62A to US‑385. Typical sections would include two 12‑foot travel lanes and an eight‑foot outside paved shoulder on new lanes, a 54‑foot depressed median on rural segments and a 10‑foot raised median through a short Minatare segment to provide pedestrian refuge near a Dollar General store.

NDOT told the commission the project schedule remains in final design; right‑of‑way acquisition would begin in 2025 and construction could start as early as 2026. The department's preliminary cost estimate is $94,700,000.

Commission action: The commission voted to recommend the corridor location, design and use of access control and to seek the governor's consent as required by Nebraska law (resolution number 2025‑2). Recorded responses on the record at the vote were affirmative.

Ending: NDOT staff said they will continue final design and right‑of‑way work and return with details as funding and schedules solidify.","NDOT presented final design and requested the State Highway Commission recommend corridor location, design and access control for the US‑26/L‑62A project near Minatare. The Federal Highway Administration issued a FONSI on May 9; NDOT estimates construction cost at $94.7 million and said right-of-way acquisitions could begin this year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656959,"NDOT advances Bridgeport viaduct design to eliminate at‑grade crossing; commission recommends approval",735,4084000,4819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0&start=4084&end=4819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107990-632a45502c921fd1348302a77541a1d0/thumbnail_4084000.jpg","/articles/6656959/Nebraska/NDOT-advances-Bridgeport-viaduct-design-to-eliminate-atgrade-crossing-commission-recommends-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656959-fab0a60732ed67d92a7f27169715f8fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651217&Signature=Zotg54nCIICMW-BZStsHKcOIkk7F1SBx4laqfXojLVjwR3h7CTvtDE8Cb533mqwrN0yfwVHvqgAPDGUkfY3XIPcBCc1~UqWF4Eqsi~JKmea2NgZoXAgetWM8PYLtUyoY~rw4mdkkmiBujI2WA-8-lYaEJ3iRX-zliFS4vccSd5K8-cPptkUelSI1~lsBueVmwr4hnC~UG4Qvp7av2b1-aHvhqIduSdB7Ql7jiYDarHoK1xwKFkd61W-3LDLXRDknVR35E4ZknUGOsI1AjZ4QdNLvq3-~tktsBrBFPI~mOUjyCcBeP9P9AV4KTvEFxQQ4AdtmWsqM2dMNd0nzpcGLOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridgeport — The Nebraska Department of Transportation presented a preferred alignment on June 27 to relocate US‑26/92 south of the existing roadway in Bridgeport, construct a two‑lane viaduct to remove an at‑grade BNSF Railroad crossing, and preserve access to adjacent businesses and an electrical substation.

Brandy Neumann, NDOT state roadway design engineer, said the project would construct a curved two‑lane viaduct with a sidewalk on the north side across the structure, realign a portion of C Street to maintain business access, and leave segments of the existing highway in place and repaired for local access and later relinquishment.

Nut graf: NDOT said the crossing meets its exposure and crash‑cost thresholds for grade separation; the agency cited public comments about trains blocking at‑grade crossings and impacts to emergency response. NDOT is coordinating with the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to raise transmission lines that serve a substation adjacent to the project.

Neumann said the project team conducted public meetings and a formal public hearing in May 2025. The final environmental assessment was under NDOT's review for submission to FHWA; NDOT estimated a preliminary construction cost of about $16 million and anticipated right‑of‑way and design work through 2027 with construction as early as 2028.

Commission action: The commission voted to recommend approval of corridor location, design, use of access control and relinquishment of the portion of US‑26/92 not included in the new alignment (resolution number 2025‑4). Recorded responses on the record at the vote were affirmative.

Ending: NDOT said it will continue design, coordinate utility relocations with WAPA, and refine access treatments for businesses; final EA submission and right‑of‑way acquisition will precede any construction contract.","NDOT proposed relocating US‑26/92 south of the existing alignment in Bridgeport to construct a viaduct removing an at‑grade BNSF crossing, preserve access to nearby businesses and accommodate a WAPA substation. The commission recommended the corridor location, design, access control and relinquishment (resolution 2025‑4).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NDOT district 8 officials say preservation spending must keep pace to hold good road conditions

NDOT seeks approval to build Central City viaduct, commission recommends relinquishment of short segment of Highway 14

NDOT seeks commission recommendation for US‑26/L‑62A four‑lane Minatare corridor; FONSI signed

NDOT advances Bridgeport viaduct design to eliminate at‑grade crossing; commission recommends approval