Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
The Nebraska Department of Roads held an open house in Chappell on Tuesday to present information an upcoming construction project.
Work is scheduled to begin on Highway 30 west of Chappell in the spring of 2016, extending east of town the following year. Construction will start at Reference Post 97 and run to RP 107 on the west side and RP 87 to RP 97 east of Chappell.
The open house was held at the NDOR's building in Chappell with representatives from the NDOR answering questions from residents living along U.S. Hwy 30.
The plans include widening the highway with two feet of paved shoulder on each side, making the survace 28 feet wide, up from the present 24 foot width. The project will also include replacing culverts and expanding the drainage system, deepening and widening roadside ditches.
"I think that everyone that shows up has their own concerns,” said NDOR District Construction Engineer Doug Hoevet. “Some people come to find out about the right a way how much and where at. During the construction how it will affect their business. Duration of the construction, features of the project, everybody comes here to gather information."
Mike Hansen, who lives at County Road 173, attended the open house to find out how the new right of way will affect his property. He was informed that the plan includes building a drainage facility on his land.
"I didn't know about the retention pond but I am glad that the state gave money for the repair of the road,” Hansen said. “We have been driving on this bumpy thing for years."
Dean and Linda Walmslua live on what used to be a tree farm. They were concerned that some of the 50-year-old trees along the highway will be lost to the proposed road construction. But the Walmslua's came away with an understanding that any removal may be necessary to make the road safer.
The estimated cost of the project is $5.2 million dollars, with funding coming from state and federal sources.
Some acquisitions for right of way are anticipated and temporary construction easements may be needed.
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