NDOT bridge project approved; city says bus riders will be accommodated

The Lincoln City Council voted Jan. 12 to approve a municipal financial agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation for the Highway 6 and Adams Street bridge replacement.

Liz Elliott, director of Lincoln Transportation & Utilities, told the council the project will require significant detours for a major bus stop location and that NDOT has agreed to provide compensation for trips that move riders from one side of the work zone to the other. "They won't be charged for that," Elliott said, describing arrangements to allow riders to board buses to cross the construction area.

Council members asked about the expected duration and the notice residents will receive. Elliott said the city typically aims for at least "2 weeks notice" for schedule changes and that the concrete replacement is substantial; her current expectation is "about a year," though that could change depending on phasing and NDOT plans. She said the city will use message boards, bus infotainment centers and website notices to inform riders.

Council members discussed whether the city could leverage the project to pursue additional multimodal connections identified in neighborhood plans. Elliott said there have been "minimal" conversations with NDOT about adding scope beyond immediate sidewalks but that NDOT has been open to negotiated scope additions if funding is available.

The agreement passed with unanimous support on the council's roll call. City staff said final construction phasing and passenger accommodations will be coordinated with NDOT and publicized to affected riders.