Omaha Forums

Rerouting Dodge @ 30th

http://www.omaha.com/article/20111018/N ... be-studied

Jeffrey Robb WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:The Omaha Public Works Department wants to take a closer look at options for rerouting the sharp S-curve that takes traffic off Dodge Street near Midtown Crossing.

The new route could mean a smoother curve for eastbound traffic heading from Dodge Street to Douglas Street.

But a study, which the City Council is being asked to approve Tuesday, also would consider the possibilities of building an overpass in the area around 30th Street or connecting a loop to a potential new bridge over Interstate 480.

Jeffrey Robb WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Pfitzer said the new study would look at ways to route the street through the Walgreens property at 30th and Dodge, although he says it's unlikely that the city would buy out that property. The city is more likely to buy property between Walgreens and the Interstate.

In addition to looking at a new Douglas Street bridge over the Interstate, the study would consider the options of tearing out the current bridge or keeping the old Douglas Street bridge and turning it into a pedestrian bridge.

Is that curve really that big of a deal? Seems like a waste of money and time.

ShawJ wrote:Is that curve really that big of a deal? Seems like a waste of money and time.

All roads in Omaha must be tailored exclusively for the 45 minutes every weekday they are in use by commuters.

I'm pretty sure it's in the Bible, right after "Streets eats puppies".

ShawJ wrote:Is that curve really that big of a deal? Seems like a waste of money and time.

I don't think its needed.  I think some improvements could be made to help slow traffic at the same time help the flow a bit and improve pedestrian access. But a massive overhaul is not really whats needed.

The speed limit is no higher than 35 all the way east from about 70th and Dodge.  What do they think they are going to accomplish?

Big E wrote:The speed limit is no higher than 35 all the way east from about 70th and Dodge.  What do they think they are going to accomplish?

Is posted at 35, but its definitely not followed...  People take that s curve like they are racing a road course while talking on the phone and fixing their hair all that the same time.  

The biggest improvement would be no changing lanes in the s curve, I don't know how many times people come flying down that hill and change three lanes when they hit the bottom.

The talk of an overpass seems odd and expensive, though I will say that the area could use some improvement, as it's not obvious how to get on to the North Freeway, nor is it obvious how to get onto 30th St north, when heading east.

I don't drive this route very often but I've never really noticed any issues when I have. And the talk of a new overpass seems absurd, especially the part about possibly keeping the old one for pedestrian use...wth...a four lane pedestrian bridge???

About the only positive I could see from this is if they did in fact use the land in between Walgreens and the interstate, pretty much all the buildings in that area are dilapidated eyesores anyway.

I'd be happy with a fence preventing drunk jack arses from playing frogger.

Early report.

http://www.midtownomaha.org/site_files/ ... tation.pdf

Thanks for the link!

BTW, the historic photos really show how much of midtown was leveled to build I-480; I was really surprised at how many residential blocks used to be there.

Seth wrote:BTW, the historic photos really show how much of midtown was leveled to build I-480; I was really surprised at how many residential blocks used to be there.

Yeah that and how MofO slowly razed the neighborhood for their parking lot which is now MTC.  

From what it looked like they are going to move the S curve to another location?

Seth wrote:BTW, the historic photos really show how much of midtown was leveled to build I-480; I was really surprised at how many residential blocks used to be there.

OMG! This was all before my time in Omaha, but that area was really built up! Quite a contrast between the 1949 and 1965 views!

I never realized the Boulevard extended through that area.

It would be great, if they have to move the S-Curve, to make it occur over the massive amount of land I-480 already occupies, instead of wasting more land with new streets and interchanges. Either that, or change Dodge & Douglas to two-way and do-away with the damn S-curve entirely.

I like some of the street ideas shown in the new City of Omaha Master Plan that show center turn lanes and bike lanes along the sides. Hopefully we'll see more of that type of thing rather than more 1960's-style transportation thinking. The projected traffic counts for 2035 seem real low, not much more than today, which kind of surprises me.

Just think how bad it would have been if they extended the freeway west of I-480 all the way out west through the neighborhoods to 72nd, as originally planned in the 60's.

GetUrban wrote:It would be great, if they have to move the S-Curve, to make it occur over the massive amount of land I-480 already occupies, instead of wasting more land with new streets and interchanges. Either that, or change Dodge & Douglas to two-way and do-away with the darn S-curve entirely.

I like some of the street ideas shown in the new City of Omaha Master Plan that show center turn lanes and bike lanes along the sides. Hopefully we'll see more of that type of thing rather than more 1960's-style transportation thinking. The projected traffic counts for 2035 seem real low, not much more than today, which kind of surprises me.

Just think how bad it would have been if they extended the freeway west of I-480 all the way out west through the neighborhoods to 72nd, as originally planned in the 60's.

From what I have seen previously, I thought it was already decided that it would go over I-480 diagonally and that the existing Douglas Street bridge would be turned into a pedestrian walk way / parking stalls. As for making Dodge & Douglas two-way streets, the interchange at the Missouri River makes it so that wouldn't be feasible.

Next week the city council will consider authorizing an additional $25,000 for HDR to study the S curve on Dodge St. This is in addition to the $250,000 already spent studying the curve.

http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/Cit ... olute=true

jessep28 wrote:Next week the city council will consider authorizing an additional $25,000 for HDR to study the S curve on Dodge St. This is in addition to the $250,000 already spent studying the curve.

http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/Cit ... olute=true

But when will they authorize the study of the study?

I think there is quite an effort here for improvements other than straightening the curve for commuters.  At least I hope thats where it ends up.  Reconnecting n to s and improving the developability and access to all the lots in the area could be a larger outcome.

Anyone seen this yet?
http://movingomaha.org/projects/7-s-cur ... ty-project

I can't figure out 2C?

I like 2D the best.

Brad wrote:Anyone seen this yet?
http://movingomaha.org/projects/7-s-cur ... ty-project

I can't figure out 2C?

I like 2D the best.

2C is a "diverging diamond". Traffic is routed to the opposite side of the road across the interchange to reduce conflict points and shorten light cycles. The only example I know of is in Springfield, MO, but here's how it works:

[youtube][/youtube]

Interesting.  However the back-in parking is frying brains all over downtown, I can only imagine what this would do!

Looks like the UK, therefore socialist, therefore I hate it.

Even though it makes perfect sense and would appear to work like a charm.

Big E wrote:Looks like the UK, therefore socialist, therefore I hate it.

Big E wrote:Even though it makes perfect sense and would appear to work like a charm.

Then you walked out your back door and looked at the people trying to park in the street

Brad wrote:Anyone seen this yet?
http://movingomaha.org/projects/7-s-cur ... ty-project

I can't figure out 2C?

I like 2D the best.

I am not sure I like how wide Park Ave gets in 2D, but I do like the trail extension to the east.

I think making the curve over 480 makes a ton of sense too.

iamjacobm wrote:

Brad wrote:Anyone seen this yet?
http://movingomaha.org/projects/7-s-cur ... ty-project

I can't figure out 2C?

I like 2D the best.

I am not sure I like how wide Park Ave gets in 2D, but I do like the trail extension to the east.

I think making the curve over 480 makes a ton of sense too.

Particularly since drawing options doesnt actually cost much.  The constrction, on the other hand...  Whooooie!

I like 2A best with 2D as the runner-up.

I do like the trail extension to the east.

I agree, the ped/cycle trail over 480 would be good.

Brad wrote:Anyone seen this yet?
http://movingomaha.org/projects/7-s-cur ... ty-project

I can't figure out 2C?

I like 2D the best.

I was wondering when they would finally get that up! KETV said it would be there probably over a week or two ago.

Anyways, I like 2D followed by 2B followed by 2A.

I think 2C would be kind of cool and I think Lincoln is planning to use this concept for a new interchange, but I don't think it would go over well with most people in this city.

To me though, the most cost-effective solution is 1B. There you would have minimal changes.

There's a couple of those "diverging diamond" intersections south of Salt Lake City (American Fork area) on I-15. It warped my mind for a second when I first saw it, but they make a lot of sense and work pretty well.

2C is definitely my favorite but I feel like people in omaha are stuck in their ways and wouldn't try something new like this even though it would be great. The next best plan would have to be 2D

I like 1B the best.  However, there are aspects I like about some of the others.  30th should line up with Park Avenue and I'd like Park Avenue and Turner Boulevard to be two-way.  I don't think any widening should be done at all, I'm just not a fan of that.  The one that I was afraid of them even considering was 2C.  It totally doesn't seem like something that belongs in that part of town.

Mention of this in the agenda. About $93,500 mentioned, but I can't really tell what for. A study?

Is anything happening with this? Or have they just decided not to do anything?

lmdramos wrote:Is anything happening with this? Or have they just decided not to do anything?

I think it's planned for 2018 or 2019.

Which means a study in 2018 and another in 2020 with reconstruction in 2023.

MTO wrote:Which means a study in 2018 and another in 2020 with reconstruction in 2023.

lol, but I think it's the actual construction scheduled for then.

HR Paperstacks wrote:

MTO wrote:Which means a study in 2018 and another in 2020 with reconstruction in 2023.

lol, but I think it's the actual construction scheduled for then.

So they selected which option they're going with?

You know, I just looked through the 2016 TIF and found this:

Mr. Weander asked if the Dodge Street / Douglas Street S-Curve project was being removed.
Mr. Pfitzer said the City of Omaha had just received the official request to terminate the project.
Money will have to be paid back if no longer using the federal money.

I guess they have scrapped it.

HR Paperstacks wrote:You know, I just looked through the 2016 TIF and found this:

Mr. Weander asked if the Dodge Street / Douglas Street S-Curve project was being removed.
Mr. Pfitzer said the City of Omaha had just received the official request to terminate the project.
Money will have to be paid back if no longer using the federal money.

I guess they have scrapped it.

The only option that really made any sense was to move the curve to over the top of the Interstate and that looked very expensive.

I was playing with Google streetview today and came across this view. This is facing west toward Midtown Crossing on Douglas street. Mutual of Omaha is buying properties for some reason. I'm thinking it has to do with something regarding Douglas street. Wouldn't it be great for Mutual of Omaha if they were able to have people drive up Douglas street to see this view? Perhaps this theory is undercut by rules of national highways. Does anyone know if the city can unilaterally change a one-way street that is a national highway to two-way?