The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) will hold a public information open house regarding proposed improvements of U.S. Highway 136 (US-136) in Webster County. The meeting will be held at the Red Cloud Community Center – Multipurpose Room, 142 W 3rd Street in Red Cloud, on Thursday, September 28th, 4:00 – 6:00 P.M.

Identified as Red Cloud West, the proposed project would resurface approximately 11 miles of US-136, starting at the Franklin/Webster county line, and extending to a point approximately 0.37 miles east of the west corporate limits of Red Cloud. Reconstruction of existing curb ramps would occur in the unincorporated village of Inavale and within the corporate limits of Red Cloud.

The purpose of this project is to preserve the US-136 transportation asset, improve the reliability of the transportation system, and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public. The need for this project is based on the condition of the existing roadway and bridges and recent inspections showing that distresses present on both the pavement and bridge structures of US-136 require rehabilitation and/or replacement.

The planned construction would consist of milling (a process of grinding the roadway surface) and resurfacing the existing roadway with asphalt. Additional improvements would include bridge replacements with grading and full depth asphalt pavement to provide a profile grade raise, culvert extensions and replacements, removing and replacing guardrail, and grading to flatten backslopes to alleviate snow drifting.

The proposed project would require the acquisition of additional property rights which could include new right-of-way (ROW), permanent easements (PE), and/or temporary easements (TE). Access to adjacent properties would be maintained during construction but may be limited at times due to phasing requirements.

Wetland impacts are anticipated and would be mitigated. Narrows Wildlife Management Area is adjacent to the proposed project and it is anticipated that the current design would cause a potential impact to this property. There are potential historic resources within the project area; impacts to these resources are being evaluated.

Construction could begin as early as spring of 2019 with completion by fall of 2020. A majority of the proposed project would be constructed under traffic with lane closures controlled with approved temporary traffic control; however, a portion of the proposed project would require temporarily detouring US-136 traffic. A designated detour would be provided, utilizing US-136, Nebraska Highway 10 (N-10), Nebraska Highway 4 (N-4), and U.S. Highway 281 (US-281). This detour would be in effect for approximately 3 months to accommodate box culvert replacement. Details will be available at the public meeting.

This public information open house meeting is being held to provide information regarding the project, currently in the design phase, and to receive the public’s input. All interested persons are invited to attend and present relevant comments and questions. Design information will be displayed and personnel from NDOT will be present to answer questions and receive comments. The “open house” format allows the public to come at any time during the advertised hours, gather pertinent information about the project, speak one-on-one with project personnel, and leave as they wish. A formal presentation will not be included as part of this public information open house.

NDOT will make every reasonable accommodation to provide an accessible meeting facility for all persons. Appropriate provisions for the hearing and visually challenged or persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) will be made if the Department is notified by September 18, 2017. The public is being encouraged to make suggestions or express concerns regarding the proposed project. Comments will be collected through October 13, 2017. Written comments or requests should be submitted to: Sarah Soula, Public Involvement Manager, Nebraska Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509-4759; sarah.soula@nebraska.gov; voice telephone (402) 479-4871, fax (402) 479-3989.

Information regarding the proposed project will be made available on the NDOT website at http://dot.nebraska.gov/projects/future-projects/ by clicking on the “Red Cloud West” link. For those without internet access, information may be obtained through the contact above or at NDOT Headquarters, 1500 Hwy 2, Lincoln, NE. For further information, contact Wes Wahlgren, NDOT District Four Engineer, (308) 385-6265, wes.wahlgren@nebraska.gov.

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NOTICE OF INFORMATION OPEN HOUSE MEETINGThursday, September 28, 2017; 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Red Cloud Community Center, Multipurpose Room – 142 W 3rd Street, Red Cloud, NE

Red Cloud WestSTP-136-4(115); C.N. 42617

Red Cloud West

Send comments to:NDOT Public InvolvementSarah Soula1500 Highway 2 PO Box 94759Lincoln, NE 68509-4759402-479-4871sarah.soula@nebraska.gov

For more information:NDOT District 4 EngineerWes Wahlgren211 N. Tilden StreetGrand Island, NE 68802308-385-6265wes.wahlgren@nebraska.gov