56th and Morton Drainage Improvement Project

Project Overview

The purpose of this project was to rehabilitate the drainage channel to reduce future flood risk and make the channel safer and easier to maintain.

This project widened portions of the channel, replaced the box culvert (bridge) at Fletcher Avenue, added access points for maintenance, and rehabilitated portions of the channel to prevent future erosion. A private bridge was removed and an access road established on the east side of the channel, north of Fletcher Avenue, to provide access to the affected property. Additional work included resurfacing Fletcher Avenue between North 56th and North 70th streets.

Project Area

(Click to enlarge) (JPG, 149KB)

It is expected the improvements will lower the water surface elevation in the channel approximately two-to-four feet during a heavy rainfall. The increased capacity of the channel will reduce flood risk and potential property damage in the area. The drainage channel will also be accessible and safe for the city to maintain.

Map of Flood Inundation Depth for a 10-Year Storm Event (JPG, 383KB) Design of Improvements 

Background

Properties in the 56th and Morton area were at risk of experiencing a flood, even during small rain events. A 2011 stormwater drainage study verified that the existing drainage channel in the project area is too small to accommodate the amount of stormwater that flows through this area.

Removing only the existing trees and debris in the channel would simply be a marginal improvement and not provide significant benefit to reduce flood risks. The banks of most of this drainage channel were too steep for the city to safely and properly maintain. Some property owners and tenants also placed obstructions within the easement, which made access unavailable, impractical, or unsafe.

Funding

The inadequate capacity of this drainage channel had been a known issue since before 2011, but the lack of available funding prevented improvements from being made. This project was originally included in the city’s 2012 stormwater bond, but was not completed due to federal funds being unavailable. Upon receiving a federal grant for this project, the project was included in the city’s 2016 stormwater bond, with contingency funds earmarked in the event the bond failed, which it did not.

The project was 75% funded by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hazard mitigation grant. The City of Lincoln and Lower Platte South NRD are cost-sharing 25% of the project, with the city’s funds coming from the 2016 stormwater bond.

Schedule

The design of the drainage improvements began in June 2016. Construction began in spring of 2018 and was completed in summer of 2020.

Public Involvement

Property owners in the project area were involved early and throughout the design, and public input was collected to help inform the design process.

Pre-Construction Open House

March 16, 2018, 4-6 p.m. Vital Services, 6400 Cornhusker Hwy, Suite 250

The meeting provided an opportunity for the community to review the final design and learn about the anticipated construction schedule.

Meeting Handout  (PDF, 8MB) Meeting Displays  (PDF, 14MB)

Project Design Open Houses

The public was invited to provide input on the improvements during the public meetings in October 2016 and February 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of your questions regarding the 56th & Morton Drainage Improvement Project.

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Will this project remove properties from the floodplain?

This project will provide flood risk reduction benefits for properties adjacent to the channel by improving the channel capacity to reduce water levels during storm events. However, the project will not remove any properties from the current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain map. The current floodplain map developed by FEMA is largely due to backwater flooding from Salt Creek and will not be affected by this project. The current FEMA floodplain also doesn’t extend south past Fletcher Avenue and is primarily within the drainage channel.

What are the exact improvements that you are going to make for drainage (tree removal and what else)?

This project will widen portions of the channel, replace the box culvert (bridge) at Fletcher Avenue, add in access points for maintenance, and rehabilitate portions to prevent future erosion. A private bridge within the channel will be removed and an access road established on the east side of the channel, north of Fletcher Avenue, to provide access to the affected property. Additional work will include resurfacing Fletcher Avenue between N 56th and N 70th streets.

How will long-term maintenance be handled in the channel?

The improvements to the channel will enable it to maintained safely with current city equipment. Mowing and other maintenance work within the channel is planned to occur at least once per year.

Why did the drainage area become overgrown with trees and filled with debris?

The existing banks of most of this drainage area were too steep for routine maintenance. Some property owners and tenants also placed obstructions within the easement, which made access unavailable, impractical or unsafe.

If the city simply removed all the trees and debris from the channel, would that eliminate flooding?

No. Simply removing the trees and debris would not provide a significant benefit to reduce flood risks. Tree and debris removal would only be a short term improvement. The improvement project creates a comprehensive approach for long term reduction of flood risks.

How many alternatives were considered in reaching this preliminary design?

A study of the area conducted in 2012 considered up to seven alternatives that showed the potential for some flood risk reduction and safety improvements. Several more alternatives were examined that provided no actual flood risk reduction.

Would it be more cost-effective for the city to buy the properties that flood and level the buildings in those parcels?

This could be an option, but also be cost prohibitive for the completion of the entire project. The majority of the funding for this project is from federal funding, which requires a favorable cost/benefit ratio. Also, simply buying a couple of properties and removing the buildings will not reduce flooding or improve the safety of the area.

Will the city remove buildings or force owners to reduce portions of their buildings built into the easement?

One unoccupied storage structure is planned for removal; otherwise, it is not anticipated that additional buildings will need to be removed or altered. There are several areas where fencing and pavement will be removed in order to restore the channel. There are some temporary type structures in the easement areas will need to be removed by the owner/tenant for the project. The project is removing one loading dock in the permanent easement area.

Why would the city require the removal of paved areas, but not also require the removal or remodeling of buildings within or abutting the stormwater easement?

There is only one building that is just within the stormwater easement among the 29 properties that adjoin the drainage channel. The city desires to treat all properties fairly and take a common sense approach with respect to improving the channel and safety for the area.

How could the city have allowed property owners to build their buildings or have paved areas in the stormwater easement?

It is up to the property owner to ensure they do not build on any easements and any easements are supposed to be shown on submitted plans. The city does not systematically check easements as part of the building permit process unless they are shown on the plans. It is possible that some of the paved areas constructed in the easement were constructed without permits. Fences typically do not require permits. Bollards are being placed as part of the project along the permanent easement boundary at most property lines. No fences, structures, pavement, fill, etc. should be placed within the existing and recently acquired permanent easement areas.

My property has experienced little to no flooding. Will this project increase the risk of flooding on my property?

It is planned that flood depths will be reduced anywhere from two to four feet throughout the channel in the project area. North of Holland Road, the existing channel has adequate capacity. Flood depths and flood risk will not be increased for any properties.

How will this project affect the flooding I have seen on N. 56th Frontage Road or N. 57th Circle?

By increasing the capacity of the channel, these street drainage elements will be allowed to function much better during minor storm events. Flood depths will also be decreased two to four feet in the channel itself, which will help reduce the frequency of water overtopping the channel banks.

How much is this project going to cost and how will it be paid for?

The bid for construction was $3.7 million. The project received Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMG) funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for 75% of the project. The City of Lincoln and Lower Platte South NRD are cost-sharing the remaining 25% of the project, with the city’s funds coming from the 2016 stormwater bond.

Will there be any restrictions on our land once this project is complete?

The same easement requirements that are in place now will remain in effect once the project is completed. The city is allowed and permitted to conduct whatever work they deem necessary to maintain the drainage easement. The city requires that property owners do not place any improvements on any easement at the risk of incurring the personal expense of removing such improvements that impede or prevent future maintenance.

Can this drainage channel be piped?

No. The waterway needs to remain as an open channel to provide adequate flow capacity.

What is the process for the city to gain temporary or permanent easements?

The need for any new easements will be negotiated with property owners by the City Real Estate Department.

How will I access my business during the replacement of the Fletcher box culvert?

Access to all properties will be maintained throughout project construction. A detour route will likely be from the east off of 70th Street for the properties on the east side of the channel. For properties on the west side of the channel, access to the frontage roads and driveways will be maintained.

Why are the easements north of Fletcher Avenue so varied in width?

The original easements found for the project area are from 1956. Some surveys since that time have interpreted the easements differently. However, these easements were never formalized to the extent of being recognized as recorded permanent easements. As such, a formal title search in 2016 determined the existing permanent easements for this project, and the easements shown on project materials are consistent with the register of deeds.

Project News

Resurfacing of Fletcher Ave. to begin April 20
April 17, 2020
Fletcher Avenue between North 58th and North 70th streets will be closed for a phased rehabilitation project. Sections will be closed at various times for the removal of railroad tracks, concrete repairs, removal of the existing surface and placement of new asphalt.
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Portion of Fletcher Avenue Project Rescheduled
September 23, 2019
The Fletcher Avenue resurfacing project between N. 56th and N. 70th streets has been rescheduled for spring 2020 due to utility work in the area by Black Hills Energy. The resurfacing was originally planned for this fall to coincide with the current replacement of the bridge on Fletcher Avenue just east of North 56th Street. Fletcher Avenue and the bridge are expected to reopen at the end of October. Some base repair work will be done this fall to have a better driving surface until resurfacing next spring.
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April 2019 Update
June 7, 2019
Construction began in March 2018 to widen portions of the drainage channel and stabilize streambanks to prevent erosion. To date, the excavation and grading of the channel is complete. Construction crews reached a major milestone in March 2019 when they fully removed the Fletcher Avenue bridge. A larger culvert will be constructed in its place to help improve water flow in the area.
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Fletcher Ave. Bridge to Close February 11
January 29, 2019
Beginning Monday, February 11, the bridge just east of N. 56th Street on Fletcher Avenue will be closed to traffic. The bridge is expected to remain closed until July 2019. Drivers should use Cornhusker Highway (Hwy 6) as the alternate route. Access to businesses along Fletcher Avenue will be maintained via N. 70th Street.
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Channel clearing and grading to begin south of Fletcher Ave.
August 14, 2018
Beginning this week, construction activities for the 56th & Moron Drainage Improvement Project will move from the north side of Fletcher Ave. to the south side. To date, and as can been seen from the Fletcher Ave. bridge near 56th St., most of the construction activity in the drainage channel has occurred north of Fletcher Ave.
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Crews hit milestone excavating, grading, and constructing drainage structures north of Fletcher Ave.
July 10, 2018
Construction efforts began in the drainage channel on the north side of Fletcher Ave. Much of the effort involved excavation of the channel, including the removal of volunteer trees, rip rap, pipe, and dirt. Along with this excavation, two manholes with pipes and one junction box with pipes were installed.
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Open House Set for Stormwater Improvement Project
March 6, 2018
The public is invited to an open house Thursday, March 15, on a stormwater drainage improvement project north of Cornhusker Highway near North 56th and Morton streets. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m. at Vital Services, 6400 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 250. The public may park in the south lot and enter through the east door of the main entrance. City staff, consulting engineers and contractors will be available to discuss the improvements and final construction plans and answer questions. No formal presentations are planned.
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Construction underway on 56th & Morton Drainage Improvement Project
February 15, 2018
Construction of 56th & Morton Drainage Improvement project started with the removal of trees in the stormwater drainage channel west of North 56th Street near Fletcher Avenue. Stretches of the channel are almost unrecognizable from their pre-project condition.
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Tree Removal for Drainage Project Starts January 29
January 25, 2018
Trees in the stormwater drainage channel west of North 56th Street near Fletcher Avenue will be removed Monday, January 29, through the end of February. The work is being done to meet a Federal Migratory Bird Act April 1 deadline and precedes a larger drainage improvement project at N. 56th and Morton streets that begins in April and ends in 2019.
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Second Open House Set for 56th and Morton Drainage Improvement Project
February 21, 2017
The public is invited to the second open house on a stormwater drainage improvement project in the area east of 56th Street and north of Cornhusker Hwy. The meeting is from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 28 at Vital Services, 6400 Cornhusker Hwy, Suite 250. The public may park in the south lot and enter through the east door of the main entrance. No formal presentations are planned.
Read more
Open House Set for 56th and Morton Drainage Improvement Project
September 27, 2016
The public is invited to an open house Thursday, October 6, on a stormwater drainage improvement project in the area east of 56th Street and north of Cornhusker Hwy. The meeting is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Vital Services, 6400 Cornhusker Hwy, Suite 250. The public may park in the south lot and enter through the east door of the main entrance. No formal presentations are planned.
Read more

Project Contact

Project Sponsors

  • Lower Platte South Natural Resources District
  • Lincoln Transportation and Utilities
  • JEO Consulting Group Inc.
  • Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
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