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Sarpy County approves contracts to start phase one of South Sarpy Expressway
Summary
The Sarpy County Board approved a guaranteed‑maximum‑price construction contract with Hawkins Construction and a construction‑administration amendment with HDR to begin phase one of the South Sarpy Expressway, a controlled‑access, two‑lane‑each‑direction corridor expected to be largely complete by the end of 2027.
Sarpy County commissioners on March 24 approved two contracts to begin construction of phase one of the South Sarpy Expressway, a controlled‑access roadway the county described as a long‑term regional bypass and economic development corridor.
Bonnie Moore, Sarpy County chief administrative officer, told the board the county is presenting a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract with Hawkins Construction for phase one of the expressway (project C‑7725‑15) at just under $62 million and an amendment with engineering firm HDR for about $4.7 million for construction administration services. Moore said phase one covers the alignment from west of 10th Street to 42nd Street and anticipates construction beginning soon, with substantial completion estimated by the end of 2027. A promotional video shown to the board described a controlled‑access design with on/off ramps and interchanges, two lanes in each direction separated by a 10‑foot median, paved shoulders, guardrails in selected locations and a posted speed limit of 55 mph. The design also includes local access roads and space to accommodate trails and sidewalks.
Commissioner Don Kelly framed the approvals as the project’s “first baby step,” saying the board and staff sought a regional connector that would relieve congestion on Highway 370 and provide a direct route between regional interstates. Representatives from Hawkins Construction and HDR thanked the board and described years of pre‑construction work that led to the GMP. Hawkins said the county used a construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) delivery method and that the GMP was independently reviewed and came in below early estimates.
Commissioner Kelly moved approval of Resolution 72 (the Hawkins construction‑phase agreement) and Commissioner Mixon seconded; the motion passed. Commissioner Warren moved approval of Resolution 69 (the HDR amendment) and Commissioner Burmeister seconded; that motion also passed.
The board emphasized the multi‑phase nature of the project and framed the contracts as the first step in what surrounding speakers described as a broader, multi‑year program of transportation improvements. County officials stated the current phase would be completed without a property‑tax increase, as presented to the board. The meeting record shows the board then returned to other business and later entered executive session on pending litigation before adjourning.
Next steps cited at the meeting included continuing final design refinements, coordination with partner jurisdictions, and beginning construction activities consistent with the GMP schedule.
