Underpass Project Well Underway

Work on the Underpass Renovation Project is well underway with crews going on the job early Monday morning, April 1.

The project -- Old Highway 71 between 1st Street and Main Street in Kimball -- is in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the city of Kimball, the Nebraska Department of Transportation and their contractor Paul Reed Construction.

The pedestrian facilities will be renovated as well as other improvements to the right-of-way on Highway 71, Chestnut Street, between 1st Street and Main Street.

The city released the following information last week:

“The need for the project is based on the current condition of the facilities. The project will preserve the transportation asset, improve the reliability of the transportation system and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public. Project improvements include the reconstruction of the sidewalk, partial reconstruction of the rock slopes, grading, landscaping. And lighting improvements. The project requires the acquisition of additional permanent easements and for temporary construction easements for storage and staging of construction materials and personnel. No permanent impacts are anticipated.

“Work on this project is expected to be completed by late September 2019. During construction, motor vehicle traffic on Old Highway 71/Chestnut Street will be controlled on a daily basis by flaggers. Both lanes of the highway will be open at night and at other times when the contractor is not working, with the exception of up to 45 days beginning in early May, when a full closure of E. Main Street will be necessary to replace the storm sewer and pavement in the intersections of Main Street and Chestnut Street. During that time, a detour will be posted for the use of the traveling public. Throughout construction, the City will restrict traffic on Old Highway 71 to 10’ maximum width and local traffic only.”