State will keep road to Randolph open during Hwy. 20 renovation project
RANDOLPH - A large audience gathered for an informative meeting on an upcoming $13.7 million dollar highway 81/20 Nebraska Department of Roads project on Feb. 18 at the Randolph High School Commons. The work through Randolph will depend upon the contractor’s schedule.
“It is going to be an inconvenience, but it will be worth it in the long run,’’ said Mayor George Bradley.
Matt Bryant of the Nebraska Department of Roads conducted the meeting.
“It went very well,’’ Bradley said of the meeting.
Only three or four questions were posed by by the audience. Half a dozen maps and slides were displayed showing the project scope.
Aerial photos were shown. Seven or eight DOT personnel were on hand for answers to questions.
Information about the project is available on the DOT website. Comment forms were provided. The deadline for forms is March 4.
“The project will be paid for by proceeds from the gas tax,’’ Bradley said.
State and federal dollars will be used for the project in the amount of an estimated $13.7 million, according to Bradley.
The City of Randolph will be responsible for replacing lighting along Highway 20 through the area that runs along the city. This will be a cost-share project.
The project area will run from the junction of highways 81 and 20 through Randolph and end somewhere west of Belden, spanning 10.5 miles approximately, according to Bradley.
The work will begin a year from now in the spring of 2021 and be finished through the Randolph area possibly within two years depending upon funding.
Reconstruction in Randolph will be done in phases.
The project will begin east of the intersection of Highway 81.
Rehabilitation of the highway include brand new shoulders of eight-foot pavement. New guard rails will be installed. A four-inch asphalt overlay will be added. The bridge deck will be patched. One bridge will be replaced over Logan Creek, located three miles out of town.
During construction, there will be temporary one-lane traffic. The project will be built one-lane at a time. Nine-inch concrete pavement will be installed.
Phasing of the project will allow access to the town.
“The contractor may make changes to what is presented tonight,’’ Bryant said.
Temporary traffic signals will be put up on the southside of the street near 558 Rd. Driveways will be closed. People will have to use north Pacific, Broadway and west Jackson for access.
Local detours will be west Jackson and 558th.
The last segment will include Bridge Street in the east just past Cedar Street. Cedar Motel will have a third signal light to allow access for people leaving the parking lot.
After the south side is complete, construction will move to the north side.
Phase II will have 558 1/2 closed. Access ways through 558 and west Jackson Street will be open. The last phase will also have west Jackson and 558 detours.
The last phase will also continue the signal at Cedar Motel. Houses and properties will be impacted during construction, according to Bryant.
The project timeline includes design for one year which is completed.
The south phase of construction will need to have the intersections blocked off to the north because otherwise there would be too many access points to control, according to Bryant.
“It is an inconvenience, however it allows the contractor to get in and work on areas quickly,’’ Bryant said.
“It is going to be an inconvenience, but it will be worth it in the long run.’’
— Randolph Mayor
George Bradley
