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NDOT work on 23rd Street reconstruction progressing; temporary Little River bridge monitored, city engineer says
Summary
City engineering staff updated the Columbus City Council on progress for Nebraska Department of Transportation projects, saying major paving operations on 23rd Street are complete and that the temporary Little River bridge has an emergency action plan involving multiple agencies.
City engineering staff reported that major elements of Nebraska Department of Transportation work on 23rd Street are nearing completion, and that the temporary bridge work at the Little River site remains under active monitoring.
"We're getting closer. So, all the major, street pours have have been done, and cured out," city engineering staff member Rick Bogus told the Columbus City Council during the Sept. 15 meeting. He said crews were focusing on shoulders, sidewalks and stamped concrete, and had begun permanent striping at major intersections.
Bogus said the contractor planned to restrict most intersection striping to nonpeak hours and aimed to complete each intersection by about 2 p.m., allowing traffic flow during school pickup. He said lane separations would be introduced next week, with outside lanes opened one direction each, and that islands and permanent striping remained to finish.
On the Little River (Loop River) bridge project, Bogus described ongoing work on a temporary construction bridge and preparations for pilings. He said district engineers have adjusted striping and markings because of damage to temporary cones and markings from large agricultural equipment and snow removal, and that a more reflective, longer-lasting striping solution was planned.
Bogus said emergency planning is in place for the Little River work. "Emergency action plan's been sent in and everything's been approved there," he said, naming the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Nebraska and the city as participants in the plan. He added that the contractor designed and had to secure approvals for the temporary bridge. "They did keep that in mind when they tried to set that up and do that the best that they can. Of course, our nature will be mother nature. But, they do have a plan in place if something would happen."
Council members raised maintenance concerns about planting and weed control in newly poured islands, and about the concrete joints near curbs where vegetation has taken hold. Bogus said he would check whether specified joint sealing was completed and confirm the state's contractor responsibilities before project final acceptance.
Bogus gave a general timeline but did not provide a firm completion date for either project; at one point he said the bridge work would be finished in 2027. The council did not take formal action on these updates.
Background: The 23rd Street work is a Nebraska Department of Transportation reconstruction project involving roadway pours, islands, striping and sidewalk work. The Little River project includes temporary traffic handling, pilings and coordination with federal and state regulators.
Looking ahead: Bogus told the council crews will continue striping and lane reconfiguration in the coming weeks and that city staff will follow up with NDOT to confirm required final sealing and maintenance obligations before contractor release.
