InterLinc: 56th & Elkcrest Safety Project

Public Works and Utilities Projects | Street Closings and Project Information | 56th & Elkcrest

Construction Information

For more information contact:

Elmer Cole: City of Lincoln; Engineering Services; Construction Project Manager; (402) 441-7581
Steve Samuelson: Constructors Inc.; Vice President; (402) 434-1764
Erika Nunes: City of Lincoln; Engineering Services; Design Project Manager; (402) 441-5675; enunes@lincoln.ne.gov

The week of May 19, 2008, Constructors Inc. of Lincoln, Nebraska will be starting construction (weather permitting) of an intersection safety improvement project for the Engineering Services Division of the Public Works and Utilities Department. Barring weather or unforeseen conditions, the project is scheduled to be substantially completed in mid-August 2008 prior to the start of the 2008- 2009 school year for Lincoln Public Schools.

This Safety Project will construct 11' wide painted left-turn lanes on all legs of the intersection and will remove the old span wire traffic signal, replacing it with a new mast arm system. This will improve overall vehicle safety and operations. The project will include associated utility relocations as needed and will require additional right of way at the corners of the 56th & Elkcrest intersection. The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) Safety Committee has approved the proposed concept of this project.

The project will be constructed under traffic on 56th Street. Elkcrest Drive will be closed within the project limits and will not have access to 56th Street. Pedestrian access and access to adjacent residences will be maintained, however, there may be instances when access is limited, such as when the streets are resurfaced.

The City of Lincoln realizes the project may temporarily inconvenience tenants, motorists and pedestrians. Notifications of closures or access will be given in a timely order as the contractor progresses through the project. Caution should be used in the areas under construction. If you have any problems or questions during the construction period, please use the contacts listed to the right.

Proposed Concept (319 K)

Project History

The intersection of 56th and Elkcrest Drive has been experiencing crashes due to the lack of left-turn lanes. The City of Lincoln held an Open House in February 2006 to allow citizens to view three concepts that may decrease the crashes that are occurring. The three concepts presented were constructing a common left-turn lane from approximately Quail Ridge Drive to Linden Street, constructing a roundabout at the intersection of 56th & Elkcrest Drive, or constructing left-turn lanes at the intersection of 56th & Elkcrest Drive on 56th Street and Elkcrest Drive. Based in part on comments received at that Open House, the decision was made to proceed with design and construction of turn lanes on 56th Street and Elkcrest Drive.

Project Schedule

Project Public Participation

An open house was held February 2006 to inform the public about the project and give the public opportunity to provide comments. As this project moves forward into design there will be additional opportunities that will allow the public to view the design and give additional comments.

A second open house was held on Thursday, August 2, 2007 .