Nebraska

[brad2971]

Why was N-61 realigned in Oglalla?  I see the realigned route is over 4 miles longer taking motorists west along US 30 to a remote intersection 2 miles west and then north to only to head back east 2 miles along old US 26 to Spruce Street.

They should have kept Spruce Street as N-61 and just given US 26 the realignment.

The new alignment of N-61 benefits those traveling from Ogallala to Scottsbluff-Gering via US26.

[Molandfreak]

Why was N-61 realigned in Oglalla?  I see the realigned route is over 4 miles longer taking motorists west along US 30 to a remote intersection 2 miles west and then north to only to head back east 2 miles along old US 26 to Spruce Street.

They should have kept Spruce Street as N-61 and just given US 26 the realignment.

The new alignment of N-61 benefits those traveling from Ogallala to Scottsbluff-Gering via US26.

How so? US 26 is the only relevant highway to those travellers. If N-61 wasn't realigned, a connecting link could have been established between the two highways and it would make no difference to anyone using US 26.

[DandyDan]

Why was N-61 realigned in Oglalla?  I see the realigned route is over 4 miles longer taking motorists west along US 30 to a remote intersection 2 miles west and then north to only to head back east 2 miles along old US 26 to Spruce Street.

They should have kept Spruce Street as N-61 and just given US 26 the realignment.

Anyone going north of Ogallala on N-61 more than likely knows their way around Ogallala and knows their ultimate destination so following N-61 is unnecessary.

[Great Lakes Roads]

An update on the widening of I-80 to six-lanes between NE-103 and NW 56th Street (west of Lincoln).
Long-term plans call to widen I-80 to six-lanes towards Grand Island.

[Molandfreak]

Why was N-61 realigned in Oglalla?  I see the realigned route is over 4 miles longer taking motorists west along US 30 to a remote intersection 2 miles west and then north to only to head back east 2 miles along old US 26 to Spruce Street.

They should have kept Spruce Street as N-61 and just given US 26 the realignment.

Anyone going north of Ogallala on N-61 more than likely knows their way around Ogallala and knows their ultimate destination so following N-61 is unnecessary.

I don't think that's always the case. The State Recreation Area and various campgrounds surrounding Lake McConaughy are pretty popular, and not all of the visitors are locals.

[DandyDan]

Why was N-61 realigned in Oglalla?  I see the realigned route is over 4 miles longer taking motorists west along US 30 to a remote intersection 2 miles west and then north to only to head back east 2 miles along old US 26 to Spruce Street.

They should have kept Spruce Street as N-61 and just given US 26 the realignment.

Anyone going north of Ogallala on N-61 more than likely knows their way around Ogallala and knows their ultimate destination so following N-61 is unnecessary.

I don't think that's always the case. The State Recreation Area and various campgrounds surrounding Lake McConaughy are pretty popular, and not all of the visitors are locals.

I was thinking more about the cattle ranchers north of Lake McConaughy. Now that I think of it, I wonder if there is a long term plan to create a west Ogallala exit.

[mrose]

Yes, they get quite a lot from Colorado.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Here's the video of the progress of widening I-80 to six lanes west of Lincoln.

[Molandfreak]

I'm seeing a new alignment of US 30 in the western part of Grand Island categorized as under construction in OSM. Does anyone have more information about this?

[Revive 755]

^ See https://dot.nebraska.gov/projects/future-projects/jct-us-281-west-grand-island/ and what appears to be a press release for the groundbreaking at https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/1lfpidmw/20240613-d4.pdf.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Here's a video on the progress of widening I-80 west of Lincoln to six lanes.
The westbound lanes are currently being reconstructed with new concrete pavement and two new mainline bridges. All four bridges over I-80 have been rebuilt.