‘It really is a pain’: Lincolnites glad for $66.7 million grant to redo 33rd and Cornhusker

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — More than $60 million will be poured into a project in the capital city.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved a $67.9 million grant that will be used for three different railroad crossing projects in the state.

One will study crossings in Grand Island, and another will look at the crossings between Omaha and Lincoln.

But the bulk of that money, $66.7 million, will be used to improve 33rd Street and Cornhusker Highway.

“That’s something the city needs,” Vernetta Gale. “That’s an everyday route for me.”

At least 65 trains run those rails daily, officials said, and the crossings are closed for 3½ hours every day.

“There have been so many times the train will just stop,” said Chuck Chase, who drives through on his way to work. “Or, sometimes the arms come down for no reason and traffic backs way up. It really is a pain. Fixing that is going be a really big help.”

According to the city, those two railroad crossings combined are some of the most dangerous in Nebraska.

This project will eliminate the two crossings by building a bridge over the corridor.

The project still has some steps to go. Construction is expected to begin in roughly seven to eight years.

Roger Figard, executive director of the Railroad Transportation Safety District, said a news conference will reveal more details of the plan next week.