The proposed West "O" Street Improvement Project extends along West “O” Street from NW 22nd to N 3rd streets. The City of Lincoln submitted the project for a USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Federal Grant. The SS4A program aims to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through the implementation of Action Plans, such as the City's Safe Streets Lincoln - Vision Zero Action Plan. These efforts focus on all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators.
Project Benefits
The West "O" Street Improvement Project would address longstanding safety challenges affecting residents, commuters, and businesses along one of Lincoln's most important gateways. Investing in this corridor would improve mobility, strengthen economic vitality, and advance the City's commitment to eliminating fatalities and serious injuries. The City of Lincoln selected the project for the SS4A grant application for the following reasons:
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Creates a safer, more inviting corridor that supports existing businesses, attracts new investment, and encourages long-term economic growth.
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Preserves the corridor's connection to Nebraska's history as a State Highway and one of America's first transcontinental highways.
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Coordinates with planned Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) corridor improvements, with NDOT supporting the City's SS4A application.
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Strengthens West “O” Street as a significant entryway corridor from the west into Lincoln.
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Builds on the City of Lincoln Urban Development Department's West O Streetscape Enhancement Plan
(PDF, 37MB) to create a welcoming gateway into downtown Lincoln and encourage a multimodal corridor with safe and accessible connections for all road users.
The draft design(, 0B) includes several potential safety improvements, including roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and access management. Proposed improvements are based on factors such as crash history, traffic data, existing roadway characteristics, and land use context.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation will simultaneously conduct a surfacing enhancement project on West "O" Street at the same time as LTU's street improvement project.
This project is in the early planning stages. The draft design and project details are subject to change depending on whether the City is awarded the USDOT Federal Grant through the SS4A Program. The project is conceptual and represents high-level planning concepts.
The City of Lincoln is seeking $14,625,000 in SS4A Implementation Funding for the West "O" Street Improvement Project. If the grant is awarded, the project would be funded with an 80% federal share and a 20% local match. Local funding contributions would come from the Urban Development and Lincoln Transportation and Utilities departments.
The project schedule is dependent on whether the City receives the SS4A Federal Grant.