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Frequently Asked Questions |
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| 1) |
When will the roadway and viaduct be constructed?
The construction of the roadway and viaduct is part of the City of Lincoln/Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program. Originally, the design was to be completed in November 2006. However, due to protracted negotiations between the City and Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad to determine the required length for the new viaduct, the letting date is expected to occur Fall 2011.
The City plans to begin acquiring the right-of-way and easements for the roadway and viaduct upon the completion of the construction plans and approval of the Categorical Exclusion environmental document.
The schedule for the construction of the roadway and viaduct is currently anticipated to begin in Fall 2011 with substantial completion and opening to traffic in early 2014. Final construction will be completed in Summer 2014. The project schedule is dependant on acquisitions of right of way and easements, execution of agreements and availability of funding.
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| 2) |
When will the roadway need to have 4-lanes?
The City of Lincoln/Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan was used to forecast future land use and traffic patterns for the year 2025. The analysis forecasts that 20,700 vehicles per day are anticipated to travel SW 40th Street. Given the forecasts for the year 2025, a four-lane roadway will be needed to serve the area.
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| 3) |
Where is the increase of traffic coming from?
The projected traffic comes from existing neighborhoods and businesses, and from projected growth and development, in areas along NW 48th Street north of I-80, West "O" Street, and West Lincoln south of West "O" Street. The City's long term plan, stated in the Airport West Subarea Plan, is to cross I-80 with a new grade separated crossing at NW 40th Street. With the construction of the crossing, there will be a new minor arterial street following NW 40th/38th Street, connecting West "O" Street to US Highway 34.
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| 4) |
Why not build the entire 4-lane roadway immediately?
The project was originally conceived as a four lane divided roadway. However, the project concept has changed in response to rising construction costs and budget constraints.
In the past traffic was discouraged from traveling on SW 40th Street due to time consuming delays at the BNSF railroad crossing. The traffic study for the project predicts that 4,500 vehicles per day would travel SW 40th Street if delays at the railroad crossing were eliminated (model prediction based on 2002 conditions). The project team determined that a 2-lane roadway provides an economical alternative that serves the immediate needs, and provides capacity for the forecasted traffic for the next 10 years. The roadway and bridges are designed so that the addition of 2-lanes in the future can be built with a minimal amount of reconstruction and cost.
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| 5) |
What is the proposed roadway alignment?
The centerline of the current roadway falls along a section line. Using the section line as a frame of reference, the future 4-lane roadway and bridges will be centered about the section line, with 2 southbound lanes on the west side of the section line and 2 northbound lanes on the east side of the section line, separated by a median.
The proposed 2-lane roadway and bridges, from the south end of the proposed Middle Creek bridge to West "O" street, are designed to be re-used as the future northbound roadway and bridges described above. Therefore in the future when 4-lanes are needed, the new southbound lanes will be built on the west side.
The proposed 2-lane roadway from West "F" Street to the south end of the proposed Middle Creek bridge, transitions from matching the existing road at the south end to a point 16.5 feet east of the section line on the north end.
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