US 75/34 (Kennedy Freeway) Plattsmouth to Bellevue

[BRoss]

Couldn't seem to find a thread on this project. But after nine years, the project to convert this stretch to a freeway is pretty much done.

July 30, 2019 (Omaha, Neb.) — Today, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has announced that after 9 years of continuous construction, US-34/75 from Plattsmouth to Bellevue freeway is substantially complete.

The construction of this highway segment to create a freeway began in 2011 and was completed in three separate projects with multiple phases. NDOT worked to ensure that traffic was able to be maintained to reduce inconvenience to the traveling public. These three projects’ total cost was approximately $125.9 million, consisting of three new interchanges, new 4-lane pavement, eight new bridges, and numerous county and street realignments. The last project north of the Platte River began in spring of 2016, with an approximate cost of $41.3 million.

“Although this project has been years in the making, we are pleased we are almost complete with this year’s long project. This project addresses vehicle mobility in a fast growing region as well as recognizes the needs of our agricultural community and provided them with a permit process that will allow for successful farming. A huge thanks to NDOT and our various contractors who worked so hard on these projects,” said Tim Weander, NDOT District 2 Engineer.

This freeway designation now continues from Omaha thru Bellevue to the Club View Drive intersection, approximately one mile north of Ave B in Plattsmouth. As a result of the conversion to the freeway designation, the speed limit is being changed from Bellevue to Club View Drive to 70 mph with a minimum speed of 40 mph starting Wednesday, July 31.

[Busguy2010]

My main interest of this project was the "interchange", or "exit" at 75 and 34. I haven't been down there in such a long time, I don't even know what that exit ended up looking like. As HWY 34 is apparently going to be the south beltway, I expected it to be fairly traffic-signal-independent.

[BRoss]

My main interest of this project was the "interchange", or "exit" at 75 and 34. I haven't been down there in such a long time, I don't even know what that exit ended up looking like. As HWY 34 is apparently going to be the south beltway, I expected it to be fairly traffic-signal-independent.

I haven't been down there, but the plans just had this as a normal diamond interchange. They will have to redo it someday if it ever becomes more of a freeway. It would have been nice if they could have been a little more forward thinking and did the interchange right the first time, but that most likely would have added millions to the project.

[Busguy2010]

I haven't been down there, but the plans just had this as a normal diamond interchange. They will have to redo it someday if it ever becomes more of a freeway. It would have been nice if they could have been a little more forward thinking and did the interchange right the first time, but that most likely would have added millions to the project.

Is that with exits from 75 to 36, meaning 75 through traffic doesn't stop? That leads me to believe the south beltway is going to start out as a divided highway, not a freeway, lowering the odds that it ever does become a freeway.

[BRoss]

Is that with exits from 75 to 36, meaning 75 through traffic doesn't stop? That leads me to believe the south beltway is going to start out as a divided highway, not a freeway, lowering the odds that it ever does become a freeway.

Correct. It does seem like they may build it as an expressway instead of freeway, which I hope is not true.

[SunMan]

There would also have to be modifications to the interchange at I-29. I'm not sure the eventual improvements to Platteview Road, including a new I-80 interchange between Hwy 370 & Nebraska Crossing, will happen in my lifetime.

[Louie]

Just took this whole length yesterday. 70mph for most of it makes this a really smooth drive.

[LookingGlass]

The 75/34 junction is not good. I can't believe they did the intersection that way as it's going to have to be redone, especially as the buildup of that area continues. Many cars coming eastbound on 34 don't slow down and visibility is not good looking west on 34 from the western most 75 exit/on ramps.

[Busguy2010]

Does 34 go under or over 75?

[LookingGlass]

Over

[Coyote]

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[nativeomahan]

I agree that with all the years of mess and construction we’ve had to endure in this area, they could have done a much better job with the design. Hwy 34 WB to Hwy 34/75 SB should not have to stop and turn left across EB traffic flow, and Hwy 75 SB heading to Iowa likewise should not have to turn, but should have had a ramp built to keep traffic flowing.

[skinzfan23]

I drive this route every day and I can honestly say that there are going to be a lot more accidents there. As you mentioned, traffic shouldn't have to come to a complete stop and cross traffic to exit or enter. I take southbound 75 and then go west on Hwy 34 and you have to completely stop....they should have made the right lane a merging lane since the highway goes down to one lane each way shortly after S 10th St.