(KLZA)-- U.S. Highway 73 will remain four-lanes in Falls City.
Nebraska Department of Roads District 1 Engineer Thomas Goodbarn appeared before the Falls City Council Monday night to give them the final decision on the project.
Goodbarn said that the comments came in about 50-1 against reconfiguring Highway 73 from a four-lane to a three-lane road from 7th Street to 19th Street in Falls City. He said during the public meeting no one really came up in support of making the change. He said Monday night he wanted to make sure the Council was o.k. with the change in the decision.
Goodbarn explained what had been projected to be a $2.9-million project will be scaled back dramatically with the decision. From 7th Street to 19th Street will likely be patched, smoothed and then re-striped. He said although an overlay had been discussed, that is not likely to happen now.
From 19th Street north the highway project will be done as planned with an asphalt overlay and the shoulders being repaired and guardrail either fixed or removed.
All of the corners will meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. By staying with the four-lane design the City will be responsible for upkeep of the outside two lanes of the highway with the State responsible for the inside lanes. Under the three-lane design the State would have been responsible for all of the upkeep.
Somewhat surprisingly only one person in the audience was there to hear the decision on the project. A large crowd attended a public information open house meeting July 14th in Falls City, nearly all of them in opposition to the three-lane design.
Goodbarn expressed his thanks to those who attended the meeting and to the ones who sent in their comments on the project He said the Highway District does not want to force anything on the community that it is not comfortable with..
During the July meeting Goodbarn told MSC News he expected the project to come in at $1.9-million if the overlay of the four-lane configuration was done. Since an overlay is unlikely from 7th Street to 19th Street it's likely costs will be lower. Goodbarn said the project is likely to begin in the Spring of 2017.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Two arrested following Friday Jackson Co traffic stop
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
No injuries in early Sunday morning house fire in Falls City
Senator Slama on tax relief efforts
LATEST STORIES
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Atchison company earns energy grant; upgrades planned
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
April is Alcohol Awareness Month in Nebraska
MoDOT to discuss Holt County bridge projects
Sheriff's Office to take part in drug take back event
Council hears report from golf course
RELATED STORIES
City and County to discuss combined dispatch center
Waterfall project approved by Falls City Council
Falls City Council denies truck parking request
Awards presented during annual EDGE banquet
Falls City Council organizes for 2020
Falls City making progress on nuisance properties
Falls City housing project moves forward
Neighbors bring complaints to City Council