Flooding in central Nebraska (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Transportation announces that construction will begin on March 10, weather permitting, approximately 5.5 miles east of the Highway 7 bridge over the Niobrara River in Rock and Keya Paha Counties.
The Carns State Aid Bridge spanning the Niobrara River was one of the 27 bridges damaged in the March 2019 flood event when historic water currents and extreme ice flows in the Niobrara River damaged the bridge, closing it. This project is the final ER project from the event to go to construction.
Jodi Gibson, Local Assistance Division Manager said, “NDOT is excited that full access for locals impacted by the 2019 floods in Rock and Keya Paha Counties will soon be restored. The unprecedented damage to roads and bridges was unimaginable and we are glad to see the recovery efforts in Nebraska complete.”
United Contractors is the contractor for this project. Work includes replacing the previous bridge with an 850-foot concrete bridge and a new roadway north and south of the river. A detour will continue to be in place until construction completion, which is anticipated to be July 2026.
Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.