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

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.