98th Street construction project lays groundwork for Lincoln’s growth

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Officials met with the public on Tuesday night, addressing plans to pave a 4-mile stretch of roadway on 98th Street.

The area outside of Lincoln’s east city limits is still mostly rural, with cornfields and gravel roads.

But soon, it will have a much more urban feel.

“The growth on the east side of town is exciting, and this 98th Street project completes something that a lot of us have been waiting for for a couple decades,” said Andrew Loudon, who lives on the eastern edge of Lincoln.

By 2050, the City of Lincoln expects to have 48,000 new households.

One anticipated area of growth is right along 98th Street.

Paul Barnes, the long-range planner for the City of Lincoln, said it’s important to prepare for that expansion ahead of time.

“I hope that people realize that it’s a temporary growing pain and that a lot of us came to Lincoln at one point and have created a life and a home here,” Barnes said. “It is progress, it is making our community better.”

Lancaster County Engineer Pam Dingman is working with the City of Lincoln to pave 98th Street between Old Cheney Road and O Street.

From Old Cheney Road to A Street, the road is gravel.

Crews are out there now, paving the 3-mile stretch.

From A to O streets, there’s no road at all.

“Opening up that mile will give us the opportunity to drive on pavement from Highway 2 all the way up to Adams Street,” Dingman said.

Dozens of people showed up to learn about the project.

Dingman said it’s setting drivers up for success far down the line.

Bill Misco lives on 98th Street, near the construction area.

He said this will be a good thing.

“This was just something that had to come anyway,” Misco said. “I think it’ll be just a little easier for people to get around and, again, hopefully ease up the traffic on 70th Street and 84th Street.”

He said it’s just like the saying: Build it, and they will come.

“I see the growth that way,” Misco said. “And the next thing is, what’s going to happen on 112th Street?”