Lincoln officials hold open house for highway project

On Monday, the city and the Railroad Transportation Safety District hosted an open house on plans for improving the 33rd St. and Cornhusker Highway area.

Attendees said the area gets very backed up.

“We’re really congested to enter Cornhusker at 48th Street and at Adams Street with the train situation,” John Yoakum said.

“I do kind of avoid that somewhat because it is rather difficult…with the trains and everything,” Judy Douthit said.

The plan works to reduce that conflict between trains, motorists and pedestrians.

It includes a couple of bridges to alleviate congestion.

“I think I really like the two–bridge plan that they’re showing tonight,” Yoakum said.  “A bridge at 33rd and a bridge at 40th.”

“I like the idea that they’ll take 33rd all the way through to Superior,” Douthit said.

Not everyone liked what they saw though.  Some criticized the plan for Salt Creek Roadway, saying it has too many trees and grassy medians, which they said cost too much to maintain.

Regardless, that was the purpose of the open house.

“What we’re really wanting to accomplish is additional conversations with the community, with the stakeholders and with those that are most impacted with this,” Long-Range Planning Manager Paul Barnes said.

If everything goes according to plan, they’ll start the project in 2026.

Barnes said there will be several more opportunities for public comment, including a hearing at the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Commission and then the Lincoln City Council.