Commission endorses US‑81 expressway location, design and access plan from York to Columbus

The Nebraska State Highway Commission on Thursday voted to recommend that the governor approve the location, design and access control plan for a US‑81 expressway segment stretching from north of York to south of Columbus.

The proposal, presented by Scott Keller of NDOT’s Project Development Division, would convert more than 40 miles of two‑lane roadway into a four‑lane expressway using a “2+2” approach (two new lanes added adjacent to existing lanes), install roundabouts at several crossings and consolidate access points to reduce conflict points. The department estimated the project cost at up to $450 million and outlined six construction packages; current funding projections put construction into the 2030s.

Commissioners and NDOT staff said the corridor fills a gap in Nebraska’s expressway network and is intended to improve regional connectivity and safety.

NDOT project manager Scott Keller said the design work has advanced through public meetings and a formal environmental analysis and that the preferred alignment was selected to reduce environmental and community impacts. “We developed alternatives, presented a preferred alternative and documented impacts and mitigation in an environmental assessment submitted to our federal partners,” Keller said.

The department told the commission it held multiple public information meetings in York, Shelby and Osceola (about 300 attendees cumulatively), followed by an October 2024 public hearing attended by 41 people. Public comments raised typical concerns about bypasses, pedestrian crossings and timing; NDOT said most respondents favored keeping alignments through the towns rather than building bypasses.

Jeff Schroeder, NDOT chief counsel, explained the legal step the commission was being asked to take: “Nebraska law requires … that access control and location decisions receive the consent of the highway commission and then be forwarded to the governor for final approval,” he said.

The commission discussion touched on school‑area crossings, truck operations and the need for pedestrian crossing treatments at town approaches. NDOT said the project would include pedestrian crossing treatments, signed and marked crossings with flashing beacons where appropriate, and a strategy for consolidating or relocating private accesses to meet spacing standards for higher‑speed facilities.

Commissioners moved and approved the resolution recommending the location, design and access control decisions to the governor. The department said final project timing will depend on statewide funding, federal discretionary opportunities and prioritization; current budget models show construction funding in later years, though NDOT staff said they continue to pursue earlier funding options.

NDOT will proceed with right‑of‑way appraisal and acquisition steps following the commission action and continue coordination with local stakeholders and federal reviewers.