Road work in Denton has raised concern among locals

Multiple road projects have left the town of Denton with just one paved road, which sits on a busy train track that often blocks off the town completely.

Concern is growing among locals.

“It’s affecting everybody, and that’s why I kind of wanted to either get some more info to help people out, that type of thing, or to get some answers on why this is taking so long,” said Ryan Osborne, a Denton resident.

Road construction projects are inevitable, but Osborne and others who live in the small town outside of Lincoln are concerned about the number of projects, all of which are seemingly going on at once.

South west 84th at Van Dorn has been closed for months as crews replace a bridge.

To make matters worse, Seward county has closed West Denton road west of town, to fix a dip in the road that has been an issue for sometime.

On the east side of town, Denton road sits on a busy train track.

“I’ve had it happen where I have to go 3 miles out of my way to work twice a week because there is a train that is blocking the way. And the other two ways I could have gone, they’re closed so it gets very aggravating I’m sure for everyone who lives in this area,” said Osborne.

Osborne tells me that Burlington Northern often parks trains across the Denton tracks, which leaves few options to get into town.

If an emergency situation arose, the southwest fire department would have to take an alternative route, which would waste precious time.

“If a train is blocking the crossing, we are going to be without an ambulance or fire department stuff, they are going to have to get here a lot longer way and that’s what i am thinking is going to affect us a lot,” said Osborne.

The Nebraska department of roads say the bridge project on Southwest 84th should be completed by the end of November, barring any set backs.