Street Widening

[nativeomahan]

It is a clumsy intersection now, and considering how much traffic it gets, it really needs a solution. Right now it is almost impossible to flow through the intersection without a long red light wait no matter which direction you are traveling.

[Busguy2010]

http://keepomahamoving.com/projects/60t ... ealignment

It was my first time in this area last night since March, and I drove on the new section of 60th. Seems like it is fairly recently opened, but construction signs still up. Drivable but not quite complete I guess.

[BRoss]

We have a couple widening projects starting this year.

120th Street Maple to Fort
https://www.keepomahamoving.com/project ... ort-street

Beginning Monday, January 25, 2021, 120th Street north of West Maple Road will be closed at the Big Papillion Creek for bridge construction.

Pre-construction virtual meeting: http://keepomahamoving.com/120thStStone ... struction/




168th Street Pacific to Center
https://www.keepomahamoving.com/project ... fic-street

Effective Monday, January 4, 2021, South 168th Street will be closed to through traffic from Pacific Street to West Center Road until further notice. This closure is to allow for utility relocation by OPPD. Construction on the roadway reconstruction project is anticipated to begin in March 2021.

Pre-construction virtual meeting: http://keepomahamoving.com/168thStCente ... struction/

[mrsticka]

Here in Lincoln, most streets that are 2 lanes (1 in both directions) have a center turn lane. I'm talking about main streets with yellow medians and have speed limits of 35. They've had that in place for years.

Personally, I think Omaha would benefit from that strategy.

[buildomaha]

Here in Lincoln, most streets that are 2 lanes (1 in both directions) have a center turn lane. I'm talking about main streets with yellow medians and have speed limits of 35. They've had that in place for years.

Personally, I think Omaha would benefit from that strategy.

Lincoln also has a much tighter grip on all development that happens in Lancaster county. The city doesn’t allow developers to expand outward on 2 lane roads because it’s a waste of money and time to have to rebuild the road after an area is developed.

[bigredmed1]

Here in Lincoln, most streets that are 2 lanes (1 in both directions) have a center turn lane. I'm talking about main streets with yellow medians and have speed limits of 35. They've had that in place for years.

Personally, I think Omaha would benefit from that strategy.

Lincoln also has a much tighter grip on all development that happens in Lancaster county. The city doesn’t allow developers to expand outward on 2 lane roads because it’s a waste of money and time to have to rebuild the road after an area is developed.

I have long believed that such development should include road widening and other infrastructure improvements to support the planned population as part of the permitting process.

[BRoss]

A lot of the arterial roads on the fringe of northwest Douglas County are now going in as or widened to three lanes.

This year they are doing State Street from 168th to 177th and 114th to 120th. Last year they did a few others (I think some sections on 168th and 180th).

192nd is three lanes throughout most of its paved portions.

It's too bad they didn't do this with a lot of the southwest years ago. But now all the roads east of 204th are due for four-lane expansion, so they aren't going to waste money going to three now.

[Busguy2010]

The issue of two lane main roads seems to be much more of a Northwest Omaha issue. I say this because Southwest Omaha was a thing in the 80's or slightly earlier, they have very healthy interstate access, and the two lane roads are only prevalent out past 180th. In Northwest Omaha, we're talking about 120th. Northwest Omaha really didn't blow up until 2000's and beyond, and they will never have interstate access.

On a side note to that, I'm a little surprised Northwest Omaha has grown more in a westerly direction than a northerly direction along Highway 133. A little curious that the block at 168th and State is developed, but not a block at 108th and Bennington road. Would have seemed to make more sense to build around the limited access Highway 133 than build on the backbone of these two lane roads that are pretty much all Northwest Omaha has.

[BRoss]

On a side note to that, I'm a little surprised Northwest Omaha has grown more in a westerly direction than a northerly direction along Highway 133. A little curious that the block at 168th and State is developed, but not a block at 108th and Bennington road. Would have seemed to make more sense to build around the limited access Highway 133 than build on the backbone of these two lane roads that are pretty much all Northwest Omaha has.

It's too bad they didn't make 133 west of 680 a freeway. I wonder if that would have helped with filling in that area. But even as it is today, it is surprising that it hasn't built up more.

Another area that has seen disappointing growth is around 72nd and 680. They widened 72nd up to 36 years ago, but that area has never really taken off either.

[Busguy2010]

It's too bad they didn't make 133 west of 680 a freeway. I wonder if that would have helped with filling in that area. But even as it is today, it is surprising that it hasn't built up more.

Another area that has seen disappointing growth is around 72nd and 680. They widened 72nd up to 36 years ago, but that area has never really taken off either.

I don't even think 133 needed to be a freeway to achieve all the criteria of a backbone for development. Certainly much better than what the 168th & State area has to offer. Even as a 2 lane highway, on 133 you only have potential for stoplights once every mile+, and it was 60+ MPH. Now today it is four lane divided and 70+. I'm wondering why nobody seems to have taken notice of this asset. The developments continue to chug along State, 168th, 180th, Military, etc. with no infrastructure to back them up, yet the 133 corridor - fully capable of handling any housing developments - remains totally underdeveloped. It just doesn't make much sense to me.

But, I agree, not making 133 a freeway is a missed opportunity. I feel there should be an interchange at 680 and 133 should be a freeway up to State at the very least, Highway 36 would be better.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It's too bad they didn't make 133 west of 680 a freeway. I wonder if that would have helped with filling in that area. But even as it is today, it is surprising that it hasn't built up more.

Another area that has seen disappointing growth is around 72nd and 680. They widened 72nd up to 36 years ago, but that area has never really taken off either.

I don't even think 133 needed to be a freeway to achieve all the criteria of a backbone for development. Certainly much better than what the 168th & State area has to offer. Even as a 2 lane highway, on 133 you only have potential for stoplights once every mile+, and it was 60+ MPH. Now today it is four lane divided and 70+. I'm wondering why nobody seems to have taken notice of this asset. The developments continue to chug along State, 168th, 180th, Military, etc. with no infrastructure to back them up, yet the 133 corridor - fully capable of handling any housing developments - remains totally underdeveloped. It just doesn't make much sense to me.

But, I agree, not making 133 a freeway is a missed opportunity. I feel there should be an interchange at 680 and 133 should be a freeway up to State at the very least, Highway 36 would be better.

School districts. That’s OPS territory. OPS “bad.” Not OPS “good.”

[mrsticka]

What about 66th and Giles? What are their plans for that? Make it a T-intersection? If so, here's my idea for it:

[BRoss]

2023 TIP project requests were posted the other day. Some of the street widening ones include:

• 90th & Pacific - right turn lanes, all directions
• 72nd & Grover - right turn lanes, northbound & westbound
• 144th Street – Industrial to Pine - six lanes from north of railroad
• 72nd Street – L to F - six lanes
• Industrial Road – 144th to 132nd - six lanes
• Millard Ave & Q - westbound & eastbound dual-left turn lanes, southbound dual-right turn lanes
• 144th & Q - westbound & eastbound dual-left turn lanes
• 120th & Center - dual-left turn lanes eastbound & westbound, southbound right turn lane
• 120th & L - northbound dual-right turn lanes, additional westbound lane
• 72nd & Blondo - right turn lanes, lengthen left turn lanes
• 108th & Center - modification of I-680 NB offramp, reconstruct pedestrian bridge, eastbound right turn lane, lengthen westbound left turn lane, reconfigure northbound approach to provide dual-left turn lanes
• 168th Street - Hwy 370 to Harrison - four lanes
• Platteview Road Expressway – 72nd to 99th - expressway
• Platteview Road Expressway – US-75 to 57th - expressway
• 6th Street/Cornhusker Road - roadway cross-section/widening and intersection improvements

• More details about each project
• Landing page with links to surveys* (*Can't access surveys due to a permission issue - now fixed)

[nativeomahan]

Disagree with the 90th and Pacific intersection. To do that would require condemnation of the house on the NE corner (the proposal would leave it with absolutely no driveway), and would also likely require removal of two very large trees, which are landmarks at the corner.

[Busguy2010]

Disagree with the 90th and Pacific intersection. To do that would require condemnation of the house on the NE corner (the proposal would leave it with absolutely no driveway), and would also likely require removal of two very large trees, which are landmarks at the corner.

I partially agree. The house on the NE corner doesn't seem to be in great shape (at least not up to the standards of that neighborhood), so I wouldn't see that as a point. The Oak tree on the SE corner is big, but has been torn apart by the power lines and looks sick, but the big magnificent Oak tree on the NW corner must stay. I would oppose a right turn lane on the NW corner, but none of the others.

[S.O.Boy]

2023 TIP project requests were posted the other day. Some of the street widening ones include:

• 90th & Pacific - right turn lanes, all directions
• 72nd & Grover - right turn lanes, northbound & westbound
• 144th Street – Industrial to Pine - six lanes from north of railroad
• 72nd Street – L to F - six lanes
• Industrial Road – 144th to 132nd - six lanes
• Millard Ave & Q - westbound & eastbound dual-left turn lanes, southbound dual-right turn lanes
• 144th & Q - westbound & eastbound dual-left turn lanes
• 120th & Center - dual-left turn lanes eastbound & westbound, southbound right turn lane
• 120th & L - northbound dual-right turn lanes, additional westbound lane
• 72nd & Blondo - right turn lanes, lengthen left turn lanes
• 108th & Center - modification of I-680 NB offramp, reconstruct pedestrian bridge, eastbound right turn lane, lengthen westbound left turn lane, reconfigure northbound approach to provide dual-left turn lanes
• 168th Street - Hwy 370 to Harrison - four lanes
• Platteview Road Expressway – 72nd to 99th - expressway
• Platteview Road Expressway – US-75 to 57th - expressway
• 6th Street/Cornhusker Road - roadway cross-section/widening and intersection improvements

• More details about each project
• Landing page with links to surveys* (*Can't access surveys due to a permission issue)

In that report there is a page about Roundabout Program, perhaps the long delayed roundabout at 52nd, Western Avenue, and Happy Hollow Blvd will get done.

[Brad]

Disagree with the 90th and Pacific intersection.

Literally up the street from my house. Traffic does justify all 4 of them, but there are some downsides... That said:

Disagree with the 90th and Pacific intersection. To do that would require condemnation of the house on the NE corner (the proposal would leave it with absolutely no driveway).

Disagree, They have a driveway on the north side of the house too, which is the one they actually use. Couldn't tell you the last time I have actually seen them use the south side driveway.

The Oak tree on the SE corner is big, but has been torn apart by the power lines and looks sick.

Agree, that one is at the end of its life. Its a pin oak and they are not maintaining it (Iron Injections).

but the big magnificent Oak tree on the NW corner must stay.

I think that one is far enough back it would be fine. They would loose a couple pine trees, but I think the Oak is good.

As someone that "deals with" this interstions nearly every day of the week, Rush Hour would be much better if there were right turn lanes and if the left turn lanes were lengthened.

[Busguy2010]

I think that one is far enough back it would be fine.

I disagree. From an engineering standpoint, yes, it maybe would barely work out, but from a botany standpoint, you'd basically have to cut out a third of the three's lifeblood. If they do indeed end up putting in a right turn lane on the NW corner, they would have to remove that whole retaining wall, which the roots of that tree are most likely totally integral with. If they mess up the wall, the tree would likely get sick and or die. And is there really that much southbound to westbound traffic?

I agree with lengthening the left turn lanes in all directions.

[ita]

2023 TIP project requests were posted the other day. Some of the street widening ones include:

• 90th & Pacific - right turn lanes, all directions
• 72nd & Grover - right turn lanes, northbound & westbound
• 144th Street – Industrial to Pine - six lanes from north of railroad
• 72nd Street – L to F - six lanes
• Industrial Road – 144th to 132nd - six lanes
• Millard Ave & Q - westbound & eastbound dual-left turn lanes, southbound dual-right turn lanes
• 144th & Q - westbound & eastbound dual-left turn lanes
• 120th & Center - dual-left turn lanes eastbound & westbound, southbound right turn lane
• 120th & L - northbound dual-right turn lanes, additional westbound lane
• 72nd & Blondo - right turn lanes, lengthen left turn lanes
• 108th & Center - modification of I-680 NB offramp, reconstruct pedestrian bridge, eastbound right turn lane, lengthen westbound left turn lane, reconfigure northbound approach to provide dual-left turn lanes
• 168th Street - Hwy 370 to Harrison - four lanes
• Platteview Road Expressway – 72nd to 99th - expressway
• Platteview Road Expressway – US-75 to 57th - expressway
• 6th Street/Cornhusker Road - roadway cross-section/widening and intersection improvements

• More details about each project
• Landing page with links to surveys* (*Can't access surveys due to a permission issue)

Thanks for putting this together.

I contacted MAPA and they fixed the survey permission issue. Everyone should be able to comment now.

[BRoss]

I contacted MAPA and they fixed the survey permission issue. Everyone should be able to comment now.

Thanks! I was going to contact them but then forgot.

[Brad]

I disagree. From an engineering standpoint, yes, it maybe would barely work out, but from a botany standpoint, you'd basically have to cut out a third of the three's lifeblood. If they do indeed end up putting in a right turn lane on the NW corner, they would have to remove that whole retaining wall, which the roots of that tree are most likely totally integral with. If they mess up the wall, the tree would likely get sick and or die. And is there really that much southbound to westbound traffic?

There is quite a bit of backup at rush hour.

FYI, The tree is about 35 feet west of the wall along 90th street and only about 5 feet north of the wall along pacific. So even if you take 12 feet for a new lane along 90th, you will still be further away than the wall along pacific. Ideal? Probably not, but still more room that an lot of trees around town.

wall.JPG

[Busguy2010]

Yeah, like I said, I think from an engineering standpoint, it would work. But I don't think it would be good for the health of the tree. As it stands, its been undisturbed for how many years? Probably like 60 at the very least? I'm saying any sort of removal of roots will be detrimental to its health, and as the canopy reaches well beyond any of those lines, there'd be sure to be roots disturbed. That tree, I'd hate to put in jeopardy for saving some Johns 30 seconds of time.

[Louie]

Yeah, like I said, I think from an engineering standpoint, it would work. But I don't think it would be good for the health of the tree. As it stands, its been undisturbed for how many years? Probably like 60 at the very least? I'm saying any sort of removal of roots will be detrimental to its health, and as the canopy reaches well beyond any of those lines, there'd be sure to be roots disturbed. That tree, I'd hate to put in jeopardy for saving some Johns 30 seconds of time.

Agreed. I drive through the intersection every morning rush and sure its busy, but its not some crazy impediment to my commute.

[BRoss]

Looks like 144th and Harrison will have dual-left turn lanes added on 144th along with pavement repairs all the way down to south of 370. Plan is to start 2023 finishing in 2024.

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/116351/c ... notice.pdf

Information Open House Public Meeting
Thursday, March 17, 2022; 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Millard Social Hall
10508 S 144th St, Omaha, NE 68138

[Coyote]

Omaha 168th Street project sees steady progress

A busy road in southwest Omaha has been closed to traffic for just over a year, but construction officials say the project is on schedule. Construction crews ripped out 168th Street between Pacific and West Center in April 2021. They are turning it into a four-lane road - a major improvement here. According to Austin Rowser with the City of Omaha, despite a minor utility delay early on, progress has been steady.

“We are currently on track to get that open by early summer, you know, open to two-way traffic in both directions,” Rowser said. The construction should be completely wrapped up in late summer to early fall. While having four lanes will result in increased traffic flow, it’s not the only benefit coming from this project.

“We always had some drainage problems down there. Down in the bottom we’ve got some large retaining walls and some new drainage structures that are really going to facilitate that and make sure we don’t have those problems in the future.” This is also not the only project on the schedule in this part of the city.

[TransitOriented]

The roads themselves look done. Just needs median work. This could open any week. I wonder when they will close 168th south of Center to widen through Zorinsky.

[Brad]

The roads themselves look done. Just needs median work. This could open any week. I wonder when they will close 168th south of Center to widen through Zorinsky.

Was that project immediately following the north side of Center?

[almighty_tuna]

The roads themselves look done. Just needs median work. This could open any week. I wonder when they will close 168th south of Center to widen through Zorinsky.

Was that project immediately following the north side of Center?

I believe there is more work necessary on the NB lanes. The SB lanes should be open for traffic, one lane each way very soon. Full opening is late summer/early fall.

The stretch of 168th south of Center, IIRC, was postponed until January 2023

[BRoss]

168th is now open between Center and Pacific.

[Coyote]

168th Street reopens in southwest Omaha, proceed with caution

A major road project in southwest Omaha has reached a new milestone. 168th Street between Pacific and West Center reopened to one lane each way Wednesday. That is welcome news for those who rely on the street near CHI Health Lakeside. The city, however, encourages drivers to use caution because that stretch of road remains under construction. Lane shifts and closures will continue through the summer months on 168th Street and side streets along the way. Crews first ripped out the pavement in April 2021. That stretch of road was turned into a four-lane road. The area also had drainage problems that needed to be fixed.


Omaha 168th Street project sees steady progress

A busy road in southwest Omaha has been closed to traffic for just over a year, but construction officials say the project is on schedule. Construction crews ripped out 168th Street between Pacific and West Center in April 2021.

[BRoss]

Saw an article that 120th and Maple should be done at the end of the month.

[Busguy2010]

Anybody know what they're doing at 76th & Dodge? Southbound 76th has been closed for several weeks, if not over a month. Traffic around there has been a nightmare as the 76th traffic has to go to a combo of Cass, 72nd, or 78th. I'm in that area every day and it has been a huge pain in the butt.

[Athomsfere]

Anybody know what they're doing at 76th & Dodge? Southbound 76th has been closed for several weeks, if not over a month. Traffic around there has been a nightmare as the 76th traffic has to go to a combo of Cass, 72nd, or 78th. I'm in that area every day and it has been a huge pain in the butt.

Pipes for Crossroads maybe?

They tore out the southbound street, and at one point I think I saw piping... But I can't remember for sure.

[Busguy2010]

Pipes for Crossroads maybe?

They tore out the southbound street, and at one point I think I saw piping... But I can't remember for sure.

Logical guess. But I was wondering if anybody really knew? There'd have to be some sort of documentation on it.

But anyway, I actually just realized there's been A LOT of road work right there in the past year. Both the westbound and eastbound lanes of Dodge. And it all seems to originate from the creek. So maybe another logical guess is they're preparing the sewers for the extra runoff due to the added streets in the Crossroads development?

Whatever it is, they need to wrap it up though. 76th southbound at Dodge has been closed for over a month now. Not having it as an option has been a big headache.

[Coyote]

Replacing 42nd Street bridge comes at a cost for South Omaha

Built in 1960, the two-part bridge on 42nd Street covering C and D streets, spanning Union Pacific tracks, is way past its time. Considered a structurally deficient bridge by the Federal Highway Administration, about 38,000 vehicles cross it just south of I-80 every day. For at least a year, they’re gonna shut it down. Business owner Tim Parys can already feel the pain that is coming to this congested area. He has been operating here for 40 years, and knew the time was coming. He just didn’t expect a complete shutdown.

[Busguy2010]

On 76th street, I drove through last night and it looked like they had the holes covered with concrete. Still closed at the time. I haven't been by there yet today, but fingers crossed today is their cleanup day.

[nativeomahan]

Still closed.

[Brad]

By 76th street are you talking about just north of Dodge in front of Best Buy and Charleston's? If so, that's not "street widening", that sewer work for Crossroads.

[Coyote]

City of Omaha plans to widen 180th Street near Pacific;
a pain point for residents and commuters

The city plans to make 180th a four-lane roadway divided by a median in the middle to improve safety. Many in the area say traffic during peak hours is dangerous and dreadful. When asked about congestion at 180th and Pacific Streets, commuter Christine Brown's pained expression said it all. "The further out I get, the worse it gets," Brown said. Brown lives in the area and although she loves her job, she often dreads driving out along 180th Street. ‘When I leave work, or when I get here in the morning, or even getting to work, is a safety issue," Brown said. Mary Jo Merfeld has lived off of 180th for over a decade and agrees. "It is very congested at the school when you are trying to make a left-hand turn," Merfeld said. And she said the traffic has only gotten worse as the years have passed. "Normally a lot of the congestion, what I see is, accidents, there is two or three accidents a week right here in front of spring ridge," Merfeld said. Schools, businesses and even a grocery store create a lot of traffic buzz along 180th and cars line up at intersections during peak traffic hours.

Mary Jo said she hopes to see some change. “I’d like to see less traffic, easier in and out of the neighborhood,” Merfeld said. And that change could come in the next few years. The city has announced plans to make improvements along 180th between Arbor and Harney streets as well as on a section of Pacific Street.



“I think the improvements would be wonderful and well worth it,” Brown said. Right now, the plans are still preliminary and construction is tentatively set to begin in 2025.



“My tax dollars should go towards this,” Brown said. There is discussion of other projects including improvements to things like storm sewers, sidewalks and ADA curb ramps. The City of Omaha is hosting an open house on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Aloft Omaha West where community members can learn more about what is being planned.

[djc311]

City of Omaha plans to widen 180th Street near Pacific;
a pain point for residents and commuters

The city plans to make 180th a four-lane roadway divided by a median in the middle to improve safety. Many in the area say traffic during peak hours is dangerous and dreadful. When asked about congestion at 180th and Pacific Streets, commuter Christine Brown's pained expression said it all. "The further out I get, the worse it gets," Brown said. Brown lives in the area and although she loves her job, she often dreads driving out along 180th Street. ‘When I leave work, or when I get here in the morning, or even getting to work, is a safety issue," Brown said. Mary Jo Merfeld has lived off of 180th for over a decade and agrees. "It is very congested at the school when you are trying to make a left-hand turn," Merfeld said. And she said the traffic has only gotten worse as the years have passed. "Normally a lot of the congestion, what I see is, accidents, there is two or three accidents a week right here in front of spring ridge," Merfeld said.

This should have been done years ago - I've lived out here for over 20 years and like they mention in the article it has only gotten worse. Of course this is common sense given the growth in Elkhorn, West Omaha, Gretna and other areas.

I've personally posted about this exact location on here before and it's something to definitely look forward to. You can easily get backed up from Center St heading north to Pacific on weekends.