3 designs shown for underpass

Three new design options for Kimball's historic underpass were showcased for more than 20 citizens at an open house Tuesday, July 14, at the Kimball Event Center.

More than a dozen engineers, designers and historical resource professionals gathered to answer questions beside Nebraska Department of Roads representatives as well as city council members and Mayor Keith Prunty.

"It was about what we expected," city administrator Daniel Ortiz stated. "Overall the tone was positive. The overwhelming consensus and feeling from those that stopped by was that they are just glad to see it moving forward and have some conceptual renderings and options to show people."

Ortiz said it was interesting to hear which features people enjoyed though nothing specific stuck out as something that should or should not be incorporated into the final design.

The process is expected to take up to two more years before construction begins.

"With most federally funded projects there is a diligent review before the project receives the green light to move forward with bidding and letting the project," Ortiz said. "The goal, as outlined in the handouts, is to complete the reviews in 2016 and move forward with bidding and letting by late 2016 or into 2017."

It is also too early to say how quickly construction will be completed once it has begun, Ortiz stated.

This complex project requires the cooperation of many entities, which include, at this point, the Nebraska Department of Roads, the Federal Highway Administration, the State Historic Preservation Office, the City of Kimball and the Historic Resources Group.

Engineering and design firms currently working on the renovation include M.C. Schaff & Associates and HDR, an architectural, engineering, and consulting firm that specializes in complex projects.

Additionally, Mark Bohl, the City of Scottsbluff Public Works Director, is the responsible charge for the project.