156th between Dodge and Pacific

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 12:18 am

Lane closures on 156th and Pacific in Omaha for widening project

If you’re driving through west Omaha you may notice a minor inconvenience starting Tuesday. It’s a sign of bigger things to come at 156th and Pacific. That intersection will have various lane restrictions for the next two months to protect OPPD utility workers. City officials said we would see utility relocation happen before major construction begins next year on 156th Street north of Pacific, all the way to Wycliffe Drive, which is near West Dodge Road. Those lanes will be widened, which is badly needed. Crews will make every effort to maintain one lane in each direction, though it’s possible to see full closure during the summer months when Kiewit Middle School, which is in the middle of it all, is out for summer break.

First signs of work on 156th widening in Omaha

A widening project may impact drivers in west Omaha

Post by **Brad** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 2:26 pm

So over due!

Post by **BRoss** » Thu Dec 29, 2022 9:30 pm

Just emailed the city a couple weeks ago asking if this was still on for next year since it was moved back without much word last year. Glad to see this move forward.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Jan 03, 2023 3:24 pm

Sorely needed for sure, but the next couple years are going to be painful for school traffic. Ugh.

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 7:41 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 3:24 pm Sorely needed for sure, but the next couple years are going to be painful for school traffic. Ugh.

My kid starts at Kiewit Middle School next year and needs to cross 156th. I'm not sure how that will work out just yet.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:23 pm

Does anyone know if the school is for sure changing their northern entrance? The city wanted to move it to the 155th Ave intersection and make a light, but the school district had to pay for that work as I understood. A few 100k that wasn’t in the budget. If they don’t move it that lot will become a right turn only.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:11 pm

Hopefully it becomes right turn only. That stretch doesn't need yet ANOTHER signal.

Post by **BRoss** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:36 pm

iamjacobm wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:23 pm Does anyone know if the school is for sure changing their northern entrance? The city wanted to move it to the 155th Ave intersection and make a light, but the school district had to pay for that work as I understood. A few 100k that wasn’t in the budget. If they don’t move it that lot will become a right turn only.

Not sure on the current status, but the flyover video from a few years ago shows a new road by the track and a signal at 155th Ave.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:41 pm

BRoss wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:36 pm
iamjacobm wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:23 pm Does anyone know if the school is for sure changing their northern entrance? The city wanted to move it to the 155th Ave intersection and make a light, but the school district had to pay for that work as I understood. A few 100k that wasn’t in the budget. If they don’t move it that lot will become a right turn only.
Not sure on the current status, but the flyover video from a few years ago shows a new road by the track and a signal at 155th Ave.

Yeah I was told that’s the city’s preferred plan, but that drive from the school to the intersection wasn’t in the scope of the city’s work and the school district would have to pay for that. Not sure I have even found final plans to see if that’s still there.

Post by **BRoss** » Sun Feb 12, 2023 12:43 am

Pre-construction meeting coming up in a couple of weeks at Millard North.

Pre-Construction Meeting
Date: February 23, 2023
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM; Presentation at 5:45 PM
Location: Millard North High School
1010 S 144th Street
Omaha, NE 68154

The meeting and exhibits will be available at 5:30 PM. A brief presentation will begin at 5:45 PM, followed by an open house where attendees will be able to view exhibits and speak with project representatives. For those unable to attend, meeting materials can be viewed on this webpage beginning February 24th. Where possible, an accessible meeting facility for disabled persons will be provided. Appropriate provisions for the hearing and visually impaired persons will be made if the City of Omaha is notified by February 21st, 2023. Notification should be submitted to: Public Works Department, Omaha/Douglas Civic Center, 1819 Farnam Street, Suite 600, Omaha, NE, 68183, telephone (402) 444-5220.

https://www.keepomahamoving.com/project ... iffe-drive

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:53 pm

Barricades at 156th and Pacific construction making intersection more dangerous
Neighbors say they’re glad the city responded quickly.

A barrier with barricades protects drivers from a water main dig but has also made a turn for the worse. “We’ve had two accidents in a week,” said driver John Larsen. “The one guy is turning in and the oncoming traffic just hit him.” John Larsen lives near 156th and Pacific streets in West Omaha and took pictures of both crashes he says should prove the barricades block the view of drivers turning left onto 156th. An arrow signal provided a safe turn for several seconds, then it went solid green, creating anxious moments for drivers crossing oncoming traffic. One of them called the danger in to 911 dispatch.

“Construction site is making visibility difficult for traffic turning northbound. Thinks it might cause another accident.” In a nearby strip mall, Medicine Man Pharmacy employees say the turn set up now is a prescription for injury, if not worse. “Your car is halfway out there and you’re trying to see things and you can’t see the cars coming, let alone when the sunlight hits at a certain time,” said Evan Ritzdorf with the pharmacy.

Post by **BRoss** » Thu Feb 23, 2023 2:01 am

Meeting is tomorrow night, but the OWH has released the plans. Basically the plans that had previously been presented. There will be a new entrance to the north for Kiewit Middle School and the two pedestrian crossings will be turned into full traffic signals.

Construction is supposed to start March 6th and end late spring 2024. There will be closures of the street during the project with access maintained to Kiewit.

City of Omaha set to begin 156th Street expansion project

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Feb 23, 2023 2:07 pm

Meh. Still wish there would have been a pedestrian bridge in the plans.

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:11 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Thu Feb 23, 2023 2:07 pm Meh. Still wish there would have been a pedestrian bridge in the plans.

As someone with kids on the opposite side of 156th, I would have loved this. Something simple like what Oakdale Elementary has at 98th and Center.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:36 pm

I think there's a huge use case for it given Cottonwood Elementary and KMS drawing lots of kids from both sides of 156th.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:09 pm

156th between Pacific and Howard (Peter Kiewit Middle School traffic light) closed this morning at 9am to begin work in earnest.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 1:32 pm

156th Street reconstruction project underway

The 156th Street widening project is underway, and drivers are learning to live with the delays and detours.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed May 31, 2023 11:52 pm

156th Street project hits next phase

A road project to modernize and widen 156th Street between West Dodge and Pacific is now in its second phase. Now that school is out for the summer, crews closed 156th Street between Wycliffe and Howard on Monday. That stretch was an key link to getting traffic in and out of Kiewit Middle School. The road between Howard and Pacific had been closed for several months.

The project started in 2018 and some neighbors are relieved to see progress after causing lots of traffic overflow. Neighbors like Mike Stiffler are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, after years of work on the once-heavily traveled road.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Jun 01, 2023 1:00 am

Of course they found a guy named Stiffler…

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Thu Jun 01, 2023 2:49 am

almighty_tuna wrote: Thu Jun 01, 2023 1:00 am Of course they found a guy named Stiffler…

Is his mom a milf?

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:45 pm

With two weeks before Millard Public Schools begins their 23-24 school year, I'd expect at least part of 156th to be opened back up near Peter Kiewit Middle School (Howard St.). Traffic lights are up (not yet powered on) at 156 & Leavenworth and 156th & 155th Ave. The final section of major paving for 156th extends about 800ft north of Pacific and is awaiting completion of the new retaining wall.

Post by **BRoss** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:50 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:45 pm I'd expect at least part of 156th to be opened back up near Peter Kiewit Middle School (Howard St.)

I know the plan is to open to Kiewit when school starts. Last I had seen on the north end, the southbound lanes were done, so might be head-to-head traffic on there.

I saw the traffic lights driving Pacific the other day. Was surprised to see them so soon.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 3:01 am

156th Street in Omaha to reopen by first day of school

Officials say 156th Street will be open by the time the new school year starts.

Post by **BRoss** » Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:50 am

Walked through this yesterday and the road is mostly done for the whole stretch. 2 out of 3 traffic signals are up with Howard yet to be done. The road is now open from Dodge to the new north entrance of Kiewit.

Still have retaining wall work along 156th remaining to be done.

TransitOriented · Post by **TransitOriented** » Wed Aug 09, 2023 4:45 pm

Kiewit starts tomorrow. They won't make it since 156th and Pacific is missing a road surface. Pretty close though.

Post by **BRoss** » Wed Aug 09, 2023 5:36 pm

TransitOriented wrote: Wed Aug 09, 2023 4:45 pm Kiewit starts tomorrow. They won't make it since 156th and Pacific is missing a road surface. Pretty close though.

It was only supposed to be open on the north end, which it is now. I think the south end to Pacific will be later this year.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Aug 11, 2023 2:10 pm

The traffic light for the new Kiewit entrance is operating and streetlights are being erected along 156th. Hope the new entrance worked well. Retaining wall work along Pacific looks to be wrapping up as the top backfill dirt layer was being placed on top of the gravel behind the blocks.

TransitOriented · Post by **TransitOriented** » Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:14 pm

My Facebook feed (aka friends with kids at Kiewit) tells me that it wasn't too bad, but it should help when all the lanes are open.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Sep 01, 2023 1:52 pm

Lots of paving action in the last week. The main lanes of SB 156th and WB Pacific are paved, forms are set to start pouring the intersection fill.

Post by **BRoss** » Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:09 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 1:52 pm Lots of paving action in the last week. The main lanes of SB 156th and WB Pacific are paved, forms are set to start pouring the intersection fill.

Saw that last night. This project wasn't supposed to be done until next spring but at this rate, they may have it done before winter.

One weird thing I noticed the other day walking through here again is that the street lights on the south side are in the median like Fort between 108th and 120th, but they are not double-sided, which would have made sense to not need as many poles.

Post by **BRoss** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 11:54 pm

156th Street is now open to Pacific, but no left turns are allowed currently at that intersection.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 3:19 pm

Progress in southwest Omaha road projects on track, city says

Crews are continuing to make progress on a pair of southwest Omaha road construction projects

Post by **BRoss** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:04 pm

I'm surprised they aren't going to get this done before winter and will pause until spring.

The road looks like it's fully paved with only work left on the sidewalks, medians, and traffic signals.

Could certainly be more I'm not seeing, but they've been going to town on this the past few weeks. Figured they were aiming to be finished before the cold.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Nov 17, 2023 1:36 pm

I'm not sure exactly what's getting paused along Pacific. I drove by this last night and they had tarps over what I assume to be freshly poured sidewalk in front of the insurance/Scooters building. Positive signs! I couldn't imagine they'd let it sit with head-to-head traffic all winter on a street as busy as Pacific.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 2:20 pm

Still a fair amount of activity on this project. Sidewalks are poured on the south side of Pacific, Traffic lights for the EB lanes are erected, along with signage on 156th for left turns onto Pacific. I would be surprised if they don't wrap up work on the medians during this upcoming stretch of dry weather.

Post by **BRoss** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 5:31 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 2:20 pm Still a fair amount of activity on this project. Sidewalks are poured on the south side of Pacific, Traffic lights for the EB lanes are erected, along with signage on 156th for left turns onto Pacific. I would be surprised if they don't wrap up work on the medians during this upcoming stretch of dry weather.

Or at least moving eastbound traffic to the other side as a single lane, turning on the lights and allowing full movement at the intersection. It would be asine to leave it as is.

Post by **BRoss** » Wed Nov 29, 2023 12:39 am

Saw on the message signs that a lane shift will be happening on Thursday. So seems like they will be at least doing what I posted above.

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 6:39 pm

This has to be nearly done for civilian travel, right? They've got both sides limited to one lane, but going on the correct sides.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:17 pm

Yeah, looks like they're finishing up the decorative concrete along the median this week. My guess is that all lanes will be open by the end of the month if not sooner.

Post by **BRoss** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:54 pm

It looked like they finished the cement work on the medians Monday when I drove through. Guessing it will be open by the end of next week at the latest. Maybe even by the end of this week.

All the trailers were gone from 156th the other day, so getting close