LTU Receives APWA Award for 17th Street Project
Published on November 19, 2025
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) today announced it received a 2025 Project of the Year award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Nebraska Chapter. The 17th Street project, between “A” and “S” streets, earned recognition in the “Transportation Project of Less than $5 Million” category.
“Receiving this award highlights the dedication and expertise of our team and the impact of Lincoln on the Move in improving our city’s infrastructure,” said LTU Director Liz Elliott. “The 17th Street project demonstrates how careful planning, design and community engagement efforts can help enhance a street’s use and neighborhood surrounding it. By prioritizing safety, accessibility, and increasing multimodal options, we created a street that meets the diverse needs of residents, businesses, and visitors while supporting Lincoln’s long-term transportation goals. This recognition reflects the hard work and collaboration that make these improvements possible.”
APWA recognized the 1.3-mile Lincoln on the Move project for strong construction management, on-schedule completion, outstanding safety practices, and proactive community engagement. APWA also noted that the LTU team demonstrated environmental awareness, innovative problem-solving under challenging conditions, and a commitment to sustainability through the use of alternative materials and practices.
Construction occurred from fall 2024 through summer 2025 and addressed issues with narrow lanes, deteriorating pavement, and localized drainage. Safety and accessibility improvements included upgraded ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, a buffered bike lane along the east curb from “A” to “R” streets, and continued StarTran service.
The project included a mill and overlay, targeted base repairs, joint and crack sealing, utility adjustments, pavement markings, and inlet top replacements. Parking was relocated to accommodate the bike lane, and historic red stone curbs were salvaged for future use. The design was coordinated with a concurrent water main replacement to limit community impact. Community engagement, including an open house and consultations with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and area residents, guided project decisions.
LTU partnered with engineering consultant Olsson and contractor DAX Construction to deliver the project in roughly one year. Strategic sequencing and coordination reduced the construction timeline by six months. Environmental stewardship was integrated through material reuse, sediment control, and recycled asphalt pavement.
The 17th Street project is part of Lincoln on the Move, a voter-approved program. The quarter-cent sales tax provides an estimated $18 million annually for Lincoln’s street system and has contributed more than $102 million since 2019 toward over 220 lane miles of street improvements, strengthening safety, accessibility, and multimodal connectivity across Lincoln. The $3.08 million project was funded through Lincoln on the Move and Highway Allocation Funds.
The award was presented November 4 at the APWA awards banquet at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.
The APWA Nebraska Chapter connects public works professionals statewide, providing opportunities to learn, network, and share best practices that advance high-quality public works across Nebraska.