NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Public Information Open House Thursday, April 28, 2022; 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Seward Civic Center 616 Bradford Street Seward, NE 68434 STP-15-2(117) US-34 North & South, Seward; C.N. 12080 The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) will hold a public information open house meeting regarding proposed improvements to Nebraska Highway 15 (N-15) in Seward County. The meeting will be held in the basement at the Seward Civic Center, 616 Bradford Street, in Seward on Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Identified as US-34 North & South, Seward, the proposed project would reconstruct approximately 1.1 miles and resurface 0.4 miles of N-15. The reconstruction segment would build a new concrete roadway starting just south of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad crossing at mile marker (MM) 66.23 and extend north to MM 67.32 just beyond the intersection of N-15 and North Avenue. The resurfacing segment would overlay the roadway with asphalt from the reconstruction section (MM 67.32) to just north of Pinewood Avenue (MM 67.69). Construction may begin and/or end approximately 200 feet ahead of or beyond the actual project limits to accommodate transitioning the pavement. The purpose of the proposed project is to preserve the transportation asset, improve the reliability of the transportation system, and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public. The need for this project is based on the current condition of the roadway. The planned construction in the reconstruction segment would consist of removing the existing pavement and replacing it with doweled concrete pavement with integral curb, reconstructing curb inlets and storm sewer, reconstructing pedestrian facilities, and updating/replacing roadway lighting and traffic signals. Existing utilities would be reconstructed or relocated as needed. Additional work would include a two-way left turn lane from Jackson Avenue to North Avenue, reconstruction of driveways and intersections on N-15. The planned construction in the resurfacing segment would consist of concrete pavement repairs and resurfacing the roadway and surfaced shoulders where present. Additional work would include sidewalk Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements and widening the roadway to accommodate the northbound right-turn lane at Northern Heights Drive. The proposed project would require the acquisition of additional property rights, which could include new right-of-way (ROW), control of access (CA), permanent easements (PE), and/or temporary easements (TE). If your property is impacted by this project, you will be contacted by a representative once the design footprint has been established. Access to adjacent properties would be maintained during construction but may be limited at times due to phasing requirements. The Seward Community Golf Course is located in the vicinity of the proposed improvements; no impacts are anticipated. Seward High School is located in the vicinity of the proposed improvements; impacts are anticipated for sidewalk construction. The Seward County Courthouse, Seward County Courthouse Square Historic District, Zimmerer House located at 316 N 6th Street, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 252 N 6th Street, the Bungalow Styled House located at 651 N 6th Street, St. Andrews Episcopal Church located at 1014 N 6th Street, and the Queen Anne Styled Farmhouse located 2010 N Hwy 15 are historic properties. Impacts to the historic properties are being considered, and comments related to the historic properties will be taken at this meeting. Impacts to wetlands are anticipated; no mitigation would be required. Trees would be removed due to the proximity of the back of curb. Construction could begin as early as spring of 2024 with completion anticipated by summer of 2025. Construction of the proposed project would be phased with segments closed and traffic detoured. Temporary closures and detour routes would be controlled by appropriate traffic control devices and practices. Pedestrian access to adjacent businesses would be maintained. A designated detour for highway traffic north of US Highway 34 (US-34) would be provided using US-34, Nebraska Highway 79 (N-79), and Nebraska Highway 66 (N-66). A designated detour for highway traffic south of US-34 would be provided utilizing Izaak Walton Road, 294th Road, and US-34. Local southbound traffic would be maintained on N-15 north of US-34. A designated detour for local northbound traffic north of US-34 would be provided utilizing 2nd Street between US-34 and Pinewood Avenue. This public information open house meeting is being held to provide information regarding the project, currently in the design phase, and to receive the public’s input. All interested persons are invited to attend and present relevant comments and questions. Design information will be displayed and personnel from NDOT will be present to answer questions and receive comments. The information “open house” format allows the public to come at any time during the advertised hours, gather pertinent information about the project, speak one-on-one with project personnel, and leave as they wish. No formal presentations are planned for this meeting. NDOT will make every reasonable accommodation to provide an accessible meeting facility for all persons. Appropriate provisions for the hearing and visually challenged or persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) will be made if the Department is notified by April 21, 2022. The public is being encouraged to make suggestions or express concerns regarding this proposed project. Comments will be collected through May 13, 2022. Written comments or requests should be submitted to: Tony Bui, NDOT Public Involvement, Nebraska Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509-4759; tony.bui@nebraska.gov; voice telephone 402-479-4994; fax 402-479-3989 Information regarding the proposed project will be made available on the NDOT website at ndot.info/12080. For those without internet access, information may be obtained through the contact above or at NDOT Headquarters, 1500 Hwy. 2, Lincoln, NE, 68502. For further information, contact Thomas Goodbarn, NDOT District 1 Engineer in Lincoln, 402-471-0850, thomas.goodbarn@nebraska.gov. SCI — April 13, 2022 ZNEZ
