‘Not our first rodeo’: Lincoln’s Pine Lake project a pain for some, but others don’t mind

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — As construction on Pine Lake Road is ramping up, so are drivers’ frustrations.

Pine Lake from 27th to 29th streets will be closed until June 9 as part of a Lincoln on the Move project.

Officials said fixing the road will improve many aspects of life in the capital city.

“Well-maintained streets enhance public safety, spur economic growth, and they enhance quality of life here in Lincoln,” Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said.

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce CEO Jason Ball added that although traffic may cause a headache, it will be worth it in the end.

“The orange cones are out,” he said. “And so it’s the time of year when I like to remind everybody that this is a great sign of progress. The orange cones will not be there forever. They are a temporary frustration; they will slow you down. But once that temporary pain has passed, we are going to have great new assets in this community to enjoy.”

Amigos franchise owner Aaron Herold said he may lose a little business due to the construction, but it’s nothing he can’t handle.

“Things will slow down a little bit, but we’re prepared for that completely,” he said. “It’s not our first rodeo. We’ve gone through this with several city projects. We have a plan in place, and we know what to do. We know that this is going to be a short-term loss for a long-term gain.”

When it’s all said and done, he said the project will be good for businesses like his.

“Customers of my business will be able to pull into our Amigos knowing they can get their burrito fix and be down the street quickly and safely once completed,” he said. “This will also be the case for my fellow business owners on Pine Lake Road. And we hope it will also increase sales and offer a more enjoyable experience for the entire neighborhood.”