South Sarpy Expressway

[damonhynes]

I'm sure some intern or someone was just cruising the local planning departments for anything that would make a decent headline. The meeting on the 19th was just the public hearing and approval of the 1 & 6yr road plan. Nothing was "released" as the author stated. Just lazy. I've learned not to expect more, but it's sad the bar is so low.

I'm sure that's what happened. They saw it in the latest plan that just had a public hearing and thought it was a new thing.

I first started this thread in 2016 and posted about it starting construction next year back in January.

One thing I do see that they failed to post (instead posting an image with barely any details) is a new preliminary layout with additional exits I hadn't seen before and some of the earlier ones reworked. It's also showing it eventually connecting up to I-80 at Pflug Rd (which has been considered for an interchange over the years).

Soth Sarpy Expressway.JPG

10-12 years. I'll believe it when I drive it. Does it look to anyone else like they're overbuilding the infrastructure east of 108th (looks to be frontage roads), and underbuilding it west of Springfield? It doesn't even look like a Super-2 on the western part.

[omaha79]

I'm sure some intern or someone was just cruising the local planning departments for anything that would make a decent headline. The meeting on the 19th was just the public hearing and approval of the 1 & 6yr road plan. Nothing was "released" as the author stated. Just lazy. I've learned not to expect more, but it's sad the bar is so low.

I'm sure that's what happened. They saw it in the latest plan that just had a public hearing and thought it was a new thing.

I first started this thread in 2016 and posted about it starting construction next year back in January.

One thing I do see that they failed to post (instead posting an image with barely any details) is a new preliminary layout with additional exits I hadn't seen before and some of the earlier ones reworked. It's also showing it eventually connecting up to I-80 at Pflug Rd (which has been considered for an interchange over the years).

Soth Sarpy Expressway.JPG

10-12 years. I'll believe it when I drive it. Does it look to anyone else like they're overbuilding the infrastructure east of 108th (looks to be frontage roads), and underbuilding it west of Springfield? It doesn't even look like a Super-2 on the western part.

It has to be because of all of the houses and Platteview golf course in that area. When I drive through there, I keep telling myself, I don't see how an expressway fits through here, but looking at the map, I think I see what they are doing. They will go diagonal of the neighborhood. They will cut under Hidden Valley Rd and then diagonal near 36th St. and that way they, theoretically, make everyone happy. Dont have the freeway near the houses or golf course and then it's mostly smooth sailing until Springfield where they have to cut south again.

This will also be one of the biggest emminent domain grabs in a couple generations as well. most of it will be farmland, but I can't see a scenario where at least a few houses aren't lost as well. The website even says it's an inevitability.

[locoluke]

I know it’s a ways out, but is there any clue how much traffic this might divert off of I-80 through Omaha if they build it out all the way?

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I know it’s a ways out, but is there any clue how much traffic this might divert off of I-80 through Omaha if they build it out all the way?

Very little if any. I-80 is too circuitous to get to from the south so any traffic going west is already using Plateview or 370. And I-80/I-680 is more direct and significantly faster if coming from the north. All it would really do is make industrial properties around Springfield or south Bellevue more appealing.

[skinzfan23]

I live in Hyda Hills, which is near where they show the interchange around Hidden Valley Dr. The thing I am most excited about is that the highway will be going just a little further south from our neighborhood and possibly over another hill, so as far as noise, it might be reduced some in my neighborhood.

[Busguy2010]

I know it’s a ways out, but is there any clue how much traffic this might divert off of I-80 through Omaha if they build it out all the way?

I wouldn't think much at all. Any traffic from I-80 at Lincoln wanting to get to I-29 is just gonna take NE HWY 2.

I think its quite far past suiting whatever purpose the idea originally would have accomplished. There was always a want for 370 to be the route, but were too slow on it. We can see now that that would have been more effective. I'm not really seeing the purpose of this Platteview route. It has to be banking on Springfield, Plattsmouth, South Bellevue, and Glenwood becoming highly populated. But I'm not seeing it.

[Elkhorn_Urbanist]

I think in all reality this expressway project is probably being used as a development mechanism more than a true transit solution. I just don't see how it helps with currently congested roads in that part of the metro or with traffic on I-80. In fact, if any thing it may worsen traffic on I80 and 75 as it will encourage development in south Sarpy and provide convenient access to those freeways for commuting into town.

Looking at google maps, I wonder if 370 actually still has room in the right of way to create a limited access highway. Intersections are far apart and 370 could be constructed as overpasses at major intersections with the N/S roads going under with admittedly tight on and off ramps. Speed wouldn't have to be super fast so I don't think they would have to redo a lot of the geometry. I'd imagine this would be cheaper than a whole new expressway but I'm not a traffic engineer.

[Louie]

I fully agree. This expressway will be a congested thoroughfare just like all the other half |expletive| expressways in this city.

[Nosebot]

Is it really gonna help with congestion to just have normal grid roads as sarpy especially Papillion grows further south? 370 can't be a long term solution for truck traffic it's already bad as it is. In my opinion this has been a long time coming.

[Stargazer]

Should have been 370.. just as should have been Highway 6.. quickly becoming Blair High Rd... lost opportunities. But hey, smooth sailing to Norfolk.

[CompSci99]

Should have been 370.. just as should have been Highway 6.. quickly becoming Blair High Rd... lost opportunities. But hey, smooth sailing to Norfolk.

Insanely true.
NDOR and whichever other relevant agencies dropped the ball not continuing the west dodge expressway south to i80 in gretna. Drop a 680-i80 type interchange where the nebraska crossing outlets are now and it would have been perfect. Better South - North connection and I bet it would have slightly alleviated the clusterf*ck that happens on the 680 and w dodge interchange every evening.

[skinzfan23]

Sarpy County just posted today that construction is beginning this spring on the 10th to 42nd st stretch.

There are some videos on their website as well.

[BRoss]

I've been looking forward to this starting this year. I do have some concerns with what I've seen so far though.

I don't think a raised median is appropriate here. It should be a wall like what is seen on Dodge and other interstates/freeways around the metro. Crossover accidents on high speed roads is a problem that should be addressed from the beginning. NDOT has resisted putting in median barriers for years while other states like Iowa have been doing it for a long time. Now NDOT is finally seeing the light and trying to rectify it as they can. The stretch of I-80 they are widening west of Lincoln is getting a median wall the full way of the project.

The signal at 10th Street is a mistake and could turn into another 114th and Dodge situation. And trying to save some money now means nothing if you have to build another $100M+ solution later on (e.g. the West Dodge expressway bridges). I have also seen in city council documents that they plan to either put in traffic signals at the interchange with Highway 75 or make it a diverging diamond. While I am a fan of diverging diamond interchanges, this should ultimately be a freeway-to-freeway interchange. I know that is not feasible at this stage, but I don't think anything expensive should be done that will make what should ultimately need to be done harder.

All that said, I am excited to see more details finally and for construction to be starting soon.

I saw this a week or so ago, but they also have more of what they envision the full route to be now and where they think interchanges could be. While I had seen more detailed concepts earlier with potential interchange designs, it's interesting to see the western portion more.

Sarpy_SouthSarpyExpressway_Map_V10_20260310.jpg

[omaha79]

Thanks for the update. I've been waiting for this to start as well. It seems there are some issues to making this truly work like it needs to especially in a couple key areas. We will see what the finished product looks like, but it's going to take many years.

[skinzfan23]

Anyone have any idea on the timeline for this first stage? I am thinking 3 years or so but really don't have anything I am basing this off of. I live near Hidden Valley Dr so I am excited because the new design will take the highway a little further to the south and hopefully reduce some of the road noise that we hear in our neighborhood. I was just curious as to when everyone thinks this phase will be complete.

Edit:
Nevermind, found KETV story stating that construction will take 2 years starting this spring with the permanent frontage raod.

[BRoss]

I live near Hidden Valley Dr so I am excited because the new design will take the highway a little further to the south and hopefully reduce some of the road noise that we hear in our neighborhood.

I live a third of a mile from the West Dodge Expressway and it still is pretty loud at times.

[skinzfan23]

I think part of the problem now is the entrance to Platteview Rd is a stop sign. The speed limit is 55, so people have to "gun it" to make it into traffic. With the 4 lane highway moving further south and over a hill from the neighborhood, I think it will provide somewhat of a sound barrier to go along with traffic being at a more constant speed.

I am still not sure how access to the new highway is going to be, but according to the renderings, it looks like mainly through 36th st which is quite a bit further to the west.

[skinzfan23]

They have begun with construction on the expressway as of this week. They are currently grading the area right now. I will see if I can get a picture sometime soon.

[Erik]

Should have been 370.. just as should have been Highway 6.. quickly becoming Blair High Rd... lost opportunities. But hey, smooth sailing to Norfolk.

From my understanding, this region likes to use highways as major commercial corridors. Hwy 370 is the only east west highway in sarpy county and Hwy 6 is the last north-south highway in Douglas County.

All Douglas has left is the remaining hwy 6 [filling very fast], hwy 275, hwy 36 and a smidgen of whats left with Blair High [though i can see this connecting the new northern bypass to 680 given its more industrial approach]

I suspect the western extension will be east of 77 in saunders county [very close to Douglas], and the northern extension between hwy 36 and hwy 30, more than likely in the very southern part of Washington County.

I was pro-hwy as interstate use myself until this occurred to me, specifically when trying to capture commercial taxes and encourage more density.

[CompSci99]

Should have been 370.. just as should have been Highway 6.. quickly becoming Blair High Rd... lost opportunities. But hey, smooth sailing to Norfolk.

From my understanding, this region likes to use highways as major commercial corridors. Hwy 370 is the only east west highway in sarpy county and Hwy 6 is the last north-south highway in Douglas County.

All Douglas has left is the remaining hwy 6 [filling very fast], hwy 275, hwy 36 and a smidgen of whats left with Blair High [though i can see this connecting the new northern bypass to 680 given its more industrial approach]

I suspect the western extension will be east of 77 in saunders county [very close to Douglas], and the northern extension between hwy 36 and hwy 30, more than likely in the very southern part of Washington County.

I was pro-hwy as interstate use myself until this occurred to me, specifically when trying to capture commercial taxes and encourage more density.

Another thing this region likes to do is not future proof its transportation infrastructure. We just saw proof of this with the new planned I-80 exit, where NDOT chose the design with the lowest cost, lowest traffic flow AND lowest possibility for future expansion.

In my opinion there's no longer an opportunity to upgrade HWY6, there is development too close to the road for any interchanges to be built. If anyone at NDOT was atleast halfway competent (no offense) they would have realized 10-15 years ago that this road was the only viable location for a North-South controlled access corridor in western douglas county. The only option now is to try and build a new one through the rough terrain west of gretna (which already has new neighborhoods popping up) or in the floodplain of the elkhorn river, which is just an overall terrible idea.

Just one more thought before i end my rant, I'd love to see our roads have more aesthetic looks than the boring designs we currently have. Denver, Des Moines and even Council Bluffs incorporate unique materials and patterns into their overpass support pillars and sound barriers, yet we get the most boring designs imaginable. If I'm gonna be stuck in traffic every night on I-80, I'd atleast like to have something halfway cool to look at.

[skinzfan23]

I agree on the aesthetics. Omaha is very bad at this. At least the new Harney and Farnam bridges over 480 look better, but an example of this would be the new entrance into CB on 480 from Omaha.

[Erik]

Should have been 370.. just as should have been Highway 6.. quickly becoming Blair High Rd... lost opportunities. But hey, smooth sailing to Norfolk.

From my understanding, this region likes to use highways as major commercial corridors. Hwy 370 is the only east west highway in sarpy county and Hwy 6 is the last north-south highway in Douglas County.

All Douglas has left is the remaining hwy 6 [filling very fast], hwy 275, hwy 36 and a smidgen of whats left with Blair High [though i can see this connecting the new northern bypass to 680 given its more industrial approach]

I suspect the western extension will be east of 77 in saunders county [very close to Douglas], and the northern extension between hwy 36 and hwy 30, more than likely in the very southern part of Washington County.

I was pro-hwy as interstate use myself until this occurred to me, specifically when trying to capture commercial taxes and encourage more density.

Another thing this region likes to do is not future proof its transportation infrastructure. We just saw proof of this with the new planned I-80 exit, where NDOT chose the design with the lowest cost, lowest traffic flow AND lowest possibility for future expansion.

In my opinion there's no longer an opportunity to upgrade HWY6, there is development too close to the road for any interchanges to be built. If anyone at NDOT was atleast halfway competent (no offense) they would have realized 10-15 years ago that this road was the only viable location for a North-South controlled access corridor in western douglas county. The only option now is to try and build a new one through the rough terrain west of gretna (which already has new neighborhoods popping up) or in the floodplain of the elkhorn river, which is just an overall terrible idea.

Just one more thought before i end my rant, I'd love to see our roads have more aesthetic looks than the boring designs we currently have. Denver, Des Moines and even Council Bluffs incorporate unique materials and patterns into their overpass support pillars and sound barriers, yet we get the most boring designs imaginable. If I'm gonna be stuck in traffic every night on I-80, I'd atleast like to have something halfway cool to look at.

I cant argue against this. Lmao

I was just noting how the area likes to use highways as commerce and industrial zones, wanting to build looping expressways between them.

[remline]

I'd love to see our roads have more aesthetic looks than the boring designs we currently have. Denver, Des Moines and even Council Bluffs incorporate unique materials and patterns into their overpass support pillars and sound barriers.

Maybe some beautiful statues, such as these, could help?
.

st.jpg

[skinzfan23]

Couldn’t get a great picture, but this is from about three weeks ago: