City Engineer Rick Bogus told the Columbus City Council on Oct. 20 that Nebraska Department of Transportation work on the 20 Third Street reconstruction is nearing completion but will continue to require intermittent lane closures for finishing items.

"After three years, this potentially could be my last report on this project because they're getting really close to be done," Bogus said. He listed remaining items including signalization work and tree work that were not completed during the original phasing.

Bogus said the Environmental Protection Agency is performing work on a DOT-owned lot near 2020 Fifth Avenue that may require a partial eastbound lane closure; city staff are coordinating with the DOT. He also said public works will post icy-road/no-salt signage as needed ahead of winter conditions. Bogus estimated final work would continue over the next month or possibly longer as crews complete finish items.

Bogus also provided an update on the DOT's Loop River bridge project, saying crews are working on piers and pilings in the river and are operating under an emergency-action plan approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DOT. "They have a plan, should ice form or trees or debris form on their bridge. They can remove them," Bogus said, describing the plan as an established part of the project's permitting and oversight.

Interim Chief Brett Strucker (identified in the meeting as "interim chief") was thanked by Bogus for assistance when a traffic signal was installed earlier than scheduled; Bogus said police personnel helped close the highway briefly so crews could place the signal.

The council asked no follow-up questions and moved on to other business.