72nd & L Street Bridge Removal

[Coyote]

Open house held to discuss plans for troublesome Omaha intersection



NDOT is holding an open house for the public to discuss the potential new plan for the 72nd and L interchange.

[TransitOriented]

People afraid to hit the accelerator when merging onto L

[Dusty]

Video mentioned they are going to "really shake things up". Is this code words for roundabouts? LOL!

[almighty_tuna]

Haha, I could only imagine the chaos if they city put in a large roundabout at this intersection, especially with the truck traffic.

[BRoss]

Naw, they are just considering removing the interchange and making it a normal intersection. I'm really hoping they do because I don't see a need for an interchange here.

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/pkjoh34y ... -sheet.pdf

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/ka5b3vju ... -build.pdf

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/ucdo32pq ... cement.pdf

[Busguy2010]

I never thought the interchange was necessary. When merging onto L, the merge lanes are short, as well as cars coming down the hill adds a blind factor. And the whole thing going on below the bridge is just one of the jankiest intersections in Omaha. No reason why 72nd would need an interchange any more than 84th. I do hope they build it anticipation of 72nd becoming six lanes.

[djc311]

I never thought the interchange was necessary. When merging onto L, the merge lanes are short, as well as cars coming down the hill adds a blind factor. And the whole thing going on below the bridge is just one of the jankiest intersections in Omaha. No reason why 72nd would need an interchange any more than 84th. I do hope they build it anticipation of 72nd becoming six lanes.

Wasn't that basically put in to accommodate all of the test-drives for the old L Street row of car dealerships?

And YES on the roundabouts... that seems to be the new magic solution to every intersection in Omaha by where I live. Almost all of 180th where the new Gretna high school went in is full of them and where the new Gretna middle school is going off of 188th & Giles is going to have two of them. I guess roundabouts are like the new traffic light - somehow.

Just wait - I'm calling it now.... an idiot and/or drunk driver decides to go full bore through one of these new roundabouts and launches their car over the center median and into a house. I've already seen it happen in a residential neighborhood. People forget circles requiring turning when they're drunk.

[BRoss]

Looks like they've officially decided to go with removing the interchange and putting a regular intersection here. Last month there was an update released.

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/l0mh1n5f ... -final.pdf

The planned improvements for this project would involve converting the interchange to an “at-grade” signalized
intersection with dual left-turn and single right-turn lanes and include the removal of the existing interchange including
the slab bridge over 72nd Street and MSE walls separating US-275/L Street from the entrance and exit ramps. Existing
pavement, medians, ramps, and sidewalks would be removed within the project limits.
Additional work would include partially widening 72nd Street to accommodate a future City of Omaha 6-lane expansion
project. Temporary roads and traffic signals would be constructed for phasing purposes.

The legal notice says construction could begin as early as fall 2025 with completion anticipated in 2027.

72nd & L.JPG

[almighty_tuna]

Ugh. I liked the overpass. Made getting through that stretch from 60th to 84th sooo much faster.

Should've opted for a roundabout.

[GenX]

Looks like they've officially decided to go with removing the interchange and putting a regular intersection here. Last month there was an update released.

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/l0mh1n5f ... -final.pdf

The planned improvements for this project would involve converting the interchange to an “at-grade” signalized
intersection with dual left-turn and single right-turn lanes and include the removal of the existing interchange including
the slab bridge over 72nd Street and MSE walls separating US-275/L Street from the entrance and exit ramps. Existing
pavement, medians, ramps, and sidewalks would be removed within the project limits.
Additional work would include partially widening 72nd Street to accommodate a future City of Omaha 6-lane expansion
project. Temporary roads and traffic signals would be constructed for phasing purposes.

The legal notice says construction could begin as early as fall 2025 with completion anticipated in 2027.


72nd & L.JPG

I really wished they would have taken the opportunity to clean up the hodgepodge of frontage roads in that area, but I imagine there's only so much they can do when they're trying to keep intersections with L at a minimum.

[omaha79]

I've wanted that intersection to be changed for years. It's never made any sense that there is a bridge there. 72nd, in that area, does not carry enough traffic to justify it and not sure it ever did. Maybe way back when so many were migrating from South omaha out to Western Electric, but now, it's nonsensical.

As others mentioned, getting on or off from NB/SB 72nd is a nightmare and I've almost been hit or hit others merging from those short on ramps. It's particularly bad heading West from southbound 72nd and heading east from north bound 72nd. The multiple lights under the overpass create traffic issues there. It will go from 2 sets of lights, that aren't really timed to one set, I'd imagine.

[GenX]

I've wanted that intersection to be changed for years. It's never made any sense that there is a bridge there. 72nd, in that area, does not carry enough traffic to justify it and not sure it ever did. Maybe way back when so many were migrating from South omaha out to Western Electric, but now, it's nonsensical.

Back before the interstate existed, L street had a TON of truck traffic to and from the stockyards.

[skinzfan23]

And prob a lot more car traffic with all the car dealerships that were there

[GenX]

And prob a lot more car traffic with all the car dealerships that were there

And it was a popular route to Aksarben up 72nd.

[omaha79]

I've wanted that intersection to be changed for years. It's never made any sense that there is a bridge there. 72nd, in that area, does not carry enough traffic to justify it and not sure it ever did. Maybe way back when so many were migrating from South omaha out to Western Electric, but now, it's nonsensical.

Back before the interstate existed, L street had a TON of truck traffic to and from the stockyards.

That is probably the main issue. I remember when trucks would be lined up on L st. to about 36th.

[Brad]

This started today. All 4 directions are one lane each…

[Busguy2010]

I was just in that area, I just decided to take 60th all the way to Q since I wasn't sure of the status of the 72nd bridge, or 72nd & L.

Its pretty well a double wammy of construction. We've all had to jog over to 60th or 84th for what seems like a year or more. For my purposes, if 72nd and L is closed or is a nightmare anyway, I'm just going to continue jumping over to 60th or 84th. Been mighty inconvenient. Glad I don't make that trip every day at least.

[skinzfan23]

Unrelated, but since 60th St was mentioned, what are they doing now just north of I-80? No joke, every single year they are doing some sort of construction on this road that takes minimum of 1-2 months. I only go into the office once per week in Aksarben and every time I come this way I keep thinking that a week has gone by, so they should be done. Here we are 4 weeks later and still under construction. Last year, they completely resurfaced much of the southbound lanes. It is a huge bottleneck b/c so many people rely on it and when its down to one lane, backups can take 20 min or longer to just go 4-5 blocks.

[Brad]

Unrelated, but since 60th St was mentioned, what are they doing now just north of I-80? No joke, every single year they are doing some sort of construction on this road that takes minimum of 1-2 months. I only go into the office once per week in Aksarben and every time I come this way I keep thinking that a week has gone by, so they should be done. Here we are 4 weeks later and still under construction. Last year, they completely resurfaced much of the southbound lanes. It is a huge bottleneck b/c so many people rely on it and when its down to one lane, backups can take 20 min or longer to just go 4-5 blocks.

MUD Utility Work

Reason: Utility Work
Comments:
Restriction: Restricted to one lane SB
Start: 8/17/2025, 6:24 PM, 9:00 am
End: 9/17/2025, 6:24 PM
Duration: 1 month
Contractor: CMG Pipeline for MUD

[skinzfan23]

Thanks, Brad. So according to that should be done by next week when I have to take that way.....we shall see.

[Dusty]

With this bridge coming down, do you see other intersections under review? What about 72nd and Center? Could we do the same and bring this back to street level?

[Busguy2010]

With this bridge coming down, do you see other intersections under review? What about 72nd and Center? Could we do the same and bring this back to street level?

There's nothing wrong with 72nd & Center. They're redoing L street because its showing its age, and its just a poorly designed intersection. I think topography comes more into play at Center as well.

The only other intersection in the metro I can think of that kind of fits the characteristics of these two, and really is long overdue for a revonfiguration, is Saddle Creek & Dodge. But the opportunity to redo that is really in the rear view mirror.

[MetcalfeHarrison]

With this bridge coming down, do you see other intersections under review? What about 72nd and Center? Could we do the same and bring this back to street level?

There's nothing wrong with 72nd & Center. They're redoing L street because its showing its age, and its just a poorly designed intersection. I think topography comes more into play at Center as well.

The only other intersection in the metro I can think of that kind of fits the characteristics of these two, and really is long overdue for a revonfiguration, is Saddle Creek & Dodge. But the opportunity to redo that is really in the rear view mirror.

And Saddle Creek and Dodge I think they are starting work on design right now, and I don't think it will be anything more than just a bridge replacement. It would have been nice if they could have figured out a way to improve the area but there isn't enough room without having to tear a lot out and it's still going to flood with every bigger rain.

[remline]

What about 72nd and Center? Could we do the same and bring this back to street level?

I would like this to be street level, too. The half-cloverleaf style interchange here seems way overbuilt. Plus, it makes it fairly confusing to use (at least for me).

[PWL73316]

Unrelated, but since 60th St was mentioned, what are they doing now just north of I-80? No joke, every single year they are doing some sort of construction on this road that takes minimum of 1-2 months. I only go into the office once per week in Aksarben and every time I come this way I keep thinking that a week has gone by, so they should be done. Here we are 4 weeks later and still under construction. Last year, they completely resurfaced much of the southbound lanes. It is a huge bottleneck b/c so many people rely on it and when its down to one lane, backups can take 20 min or longer to just go 4-5 blocks.

MUD Utility Work

Reason: Utility Work
Comments:
Restriction: Restricted to one lane SB
Start: 8/17/2025, 6:24 PM, 9:00 am
End: 9/17/2025, 6:24 PM
Duration: 1 month
Contractor: CMG Pipeline for MUD

There has to be a way to rationalize things so you don't tear up the same sections of streets year after year or even month after month.

We live on 132nd street, which isn't the worst for this I'm sure, but the same parts between Dodge and Blondo have been repaved at least 4 or 5 times since we moved in six years ago.

They're doing electrical, they're doing sewers, they're doing curb cuts, they're tearing up the road again to redo it after all the other times they tore up the road and left it a mess, okay now that it's smooth again, we need to redo all the drains. It never ends! Surely the city could do a better job of queuing things up so they are done all at once, it would be better for everyone.

[Brad]

Its gone! Photo from this morning.

1.

20251116IMG_6631.jpg

[Busguy2010]

That was quick. Nice to see, this had to be one of the wackiest intersections in the city.

[BuildTaller]

They've build up the land maybe 8 feet. It seems very odd, but maybe that's to help "bridge" (ha, get it?) the elevation change going north/south?

[Brad]

Still a ways to go, but they are pouring the first couple lanes of concrete, east of 72nd St. today.