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City engineer says 23rd Street work on schedule; Loup River bridge removal, trail closures ahead
Summary
City Engineer Rick Bogus told the Columbus City Council on May 19 that work on the Nebraska Department of Transportation 23rd Street reconstruction is generally on schedule, and that the Loup River bridge project will include trail closures, concrete removal, blasts in August and a target for a new bridge in spring 2027.
City Engineer Rick Bogus updated the Columbus City Council on May 19 on two Nebraska Department of Transportation projects: the 23rd Street reconstruction and the Loup River bridge replacement project.
Bogus said rain could cause minor delays but that crews continue to work on water and storm sewer systems and pavement preparation. He said traffic has been moved around work zones and that temporary closures will continue until paving is complete.
On the Loup River bridge project, Bogus said crews have moved traffic to the north side and are breaking and sawing concrete of the truss bridge sections that will be removed. He said the trail under the bridge was being temporarily closed to allow safe removal operations and will be routed under the underpass until mid-June, when the underpass will close for reconstruction of the west half. He said the underpass closure was expected through a portion of the summer, with major bridge blasting operations anticipated in August and possibly September.
Bogus said the truss bridge is historically significant but that evaluation and contract terms mean much of the original steel cannot be reused. The project will include a park model resembling the truss bridge and interpretive signage, required under Section 106 historic-preservation review, to explain the bridge’s history and local river transportation.
Bogus said the general plan calls for the new bridge to open in spring 2027, with temporary traffic patterns (one lane northbound) continuing until then.
Council members asked whether the underpass would be reinforced or completely reconstructed; Bogus said the west half would be reconstructed. He also said decisions about reuse of steel were governed by contract and historic-review requirements.
The project’s scope includes phased removal of the truss bridge, construction of a temporary bridge, and eventual permanent replacement. Bogus asked the public to expect intermittent closures and scheduled disruptions during the multi-year work.
