Douglas County adopts five-year highway improvement plan after public hearing

Douglas County commissioners adopted a five-year County Highway Improvement Program on Feb. 3, 2026, following a public hearing on the plan.

County Engineer Tim Erickson presented the plan at the hearing opened at 9:04 a.m. and described the list of projects proposed for the next five years, including bridge projects eligible for special bridge replacement funds. Douglas County Auditor-Treasurer Vicki Doehling raised a concern about potential impacts of highway projects on polling places in even‑numbered election years; Erickson said the county would coordinate with contractors to ensure voters maintain access to polling locations. "They will coordinate with contractors to ensure voters maintain access to polling locations," Erickson said during the hearing. There were no additional public comments and the hearing was closed at 9:31 a.m.

The board adopted Resolution 26-17 to place the listed projects on the County Highway Improvement Program, subject to availability of funding and the board's commitment to annual review and updating of the program. The motion to adopt was moved by Commissioner Charlie Meyer, seconded by Commissioner Tim Kalina, and passed unanimously (Yes — Kalina, Meyer, Rapp, Schmidt and Way).