This viaduct carries U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61 (A Street) south from downtown Ogallala to Interstate 80. Founded in 1868, Ogallala is home to 5,107 people as of 2004 (estimate). Sitting at an elevation of 3,216 feet, Ogallala is at a lower elevation than its neighbors to the west (such as Sidney and Kimball). The South Platte River flows through Ogallala, and the Union Pacific Railroad separates downtown Ogallala from the river. Named after a Sioux tribe, Ogallala can be spelled in many different manners, but "Ogallala" is correct for this city. Photo taken 09/05/05.
Southbound U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61 cross the Union Pacific Railroad viaduct. Sitting beneath much of Nebraska, as well as eastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, western Kansas, the Oklahoma panhandle, and Texas panhandle is the Ogallala Aquifer. This massive aquifer stores water underground, and it is tapped for agricultural and ranching purposes through wells. While some parts of the aquifer have seen an increase in the amount of water stored, other sections have seen a net loss, since the semi-arid region may not supply sufficient rainwater to recharge the water taken from massive underground reservoir. Photo taken 09/05/05.
After the viaduct returns to ground level, U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61 approach their junction with Interstate 80, the main transcontinental east-west highway across Nebraska. Photo taken 09/05/05.
Southbound U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61 cross the South Platte River here. A major event that affected this area occurred in 2002, when a Thousand Year Storm hit Keith County on July 6, 2002. This storm dropped ten inches of rain on Ogallala between 1:00 am and 11:00 am, with rain falling at a rate of one inch an hour for ten hours. As the ground could not absorb the rain quickly enough, excess water funneled through streets and gulleys to the South Platte River, which quickly spilled over its banks. The waters eventually crossed U.S. 26/Nebraska 61 and Interstate 80 itself, causing damage to bridges and culverts as well as flooding most of the area around the freeway interchange. For more information on this storm and its aftermath, visit the official Interstate 80 July 2002 Flood page presented by the Nebraska Department of Roads. Photo taken 09/05/05.
This bridge was constructed to bring U.S. 26 up to four lanes. Typical Interstate motorist services are available between the river and Interstate 80. Photo taken 09/05/05.
Now at the Interstate 80 interchange, U.S. 26 ends and Nebraska 61 continues south toward Grant. Photo taken 09/05/05.
Westbound U.S. 26 and Northbound Nebraska 61
At Exit 126, U.S. 26 begins its westward journey via Nebraska 61 north to Ogallala. This interchange marks the eastern terminus of U.S. 26, a major highway that originates in Seaside, Oregon, and travels southeast through Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming before ending here at this interchange. U.S. 26 generally follows the North Platte River from here northwest through Scottsbluff to Torrington and Casper in Wyoming. From there, the highway travels toward Grand Teton National Park in western Wyoming, then angles toward Idaho Falls and Boise in Idaho. After crossing the state of Oregon, U.S. 26 ends at U.S. 101 within sight of the Pacific Ocean. Originally, U.S. 26 was a fairly short route connecting Ogallala with today's Interstate 25 and U.S. 87; it was extended in 1950 to cross Wyoming and was extended to Astoria, Oregon, in 1952. Although U.S. 26 was retracted out of Astoria in 2004, it is still a major route in the West. Photo taken 09/05/05.
This bridge carries U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61 north over the South Platte River. This is the main link between Interstate 80 and Ogallala. Photo taken 09/05/05.
This is the first reassurance shield along westbound U.S. 26 (North Platte Valley Highway) and northbound Nebraska 61. Photo taken 09/05/05.
To the north, follow U.S. 26/Nebraska 61 north through Ogallala to Lake McConaughy, a large reservoir located along the North Platte River. At more than 35,700 surface acres, Lake McConaughy is Nebraska's largest reservoir; plenty of water-based recreational activities are available there. Photo taken 09/05/05.
Now crossing the Union Pacific Railroad, westbound U.S. 26 and northbound Nebraska 61 approach their junction with U.S. 30. To continue west on U.S. 26 and north on Nebraska 61, turn west on U.S. 30. To follow the old alignment of U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61, follow A Street for northbound traffic and Spruce Street for southbound traffic through downtown Ogallala. Photo taken 09/05/05.
A western bypass of Ogallala was constructed in 2000 to allow for U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61 to avoid downtown Ogallala. Motorists must follow U.S. 30 west for several miles to make this connection. Photo taken 09/05/05.
Now at the U.S. 30 intersection, continue straight ahead on A Street to follow Old U.S. 16 West/Old Nebraska 61 north for the most direct route to Lake McConaughy. All through traffic should follow U.S. 26-30 west/Nebraska 61 north to the new bypass. U.S. 26 and Nebraska 61 travel north together on their new, four-lane alignment for three miles, then separate. Nebraska 61 travels north toward the reservoir and Kingsley Dam, Arthur (seat of Arthur County), Hyannis (seat of Grant County), and Merriman in Cherry County. It changes into South Dakota 73 en route to Martin (Junction U.S. 18) and Kadoka (Junction Interstate 90). The route is fairly desolate north of Lake McConaughy as it travels through the remote Sand Hills of northern Nebraska. As for U.S. 26, it follows the North Platte River toward Scottsbluff and Wyoming. Photo taken 09/05/05.
