Interstate 76
The Western Interstate 76 is a diagonal route that generally follows the South Platte River between Denver, Colorado and Big Springs, Nebraska. This is one of two sections of Interstate 76 in the country; the other I-76 is located in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
I-76 was completed in Nebraska in December 1969 along with a four mile long stretch extending west to Julesburg, Colorado. The segment cost $1.4 million to build.1 Representing a branch off I-80 to Denver, the section of I-76 in Colorado and Nebraska was designated as Interstate 80S until 1975. With the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) mandating an elimination of suffixed Interstate routes, partially due to motorist confusion, I-80S was renumbered.
Started in September 2019 with grading work, $50 million in construction redesigned the trumpet interchange joining the east end of I-76 with Interstate 80. Exit 102 from I-80 west to I-76 was reconfigured onto a high speed ramp departing from the outside lanes instead of the left. The tight loop ramp joining I-76 east with I-80 west was also replaced with a sweeping ramp spanning the I-80 mainline, which was lowered to grade level. Construction was completed in Fall 2021.2
East
Interstate 76 departs from the Centennial State of Colorado and enters the Cornhusker State of Nebraska south of the railroad siding of Barton.
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A reassurance marker for I-76 was added by this variable message sign by 2012. The assembly advises motorists of closures or restrictions along Interstate 80 during times of inclement weather or poor traffic conditions.
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One mile south of Interstate 80, the transcontinental route that crosses Nebraska between Pines Bluffs and Omaha, on I-76 east. Since renumbered to Exit 3, Exit 102 was numbered based upon the mileage of I-80.
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Road 4, an unpaved ranch road, spans Interstate 76 a half mile from the trumpet interchange (Exit 3) with I-80. Sidney, a city of less than 7,000, is 45 miles to the west.
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Exit 102 looped away from I-76 east to join I-80 west for the 145 mile drive to Cheyenne, Wyoming. A new sweeping loop ramp was built in place of this substandard ramp.
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Interstate 76 ends as the two lanes of the mainline merge directly into Interstate 80 east ahead of Ogallala. Omaha lies 351 miles to the east.
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West
NDOT references the short stretch of Interstate 76 in Deuel County as a north-south route. The first confirming marker was postead ahead of the Road 4 overpass.
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The first exit from Interstate 76 westbound departs in five miles for Julesburg, Colorado. Denver is 186 miles to the southwest.
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References:
- 50th Anniversary of the Interstate System - Interstate 76. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
- "Ready to Begin Work." North Platte Telegraph, The (NE), September 11, 2019.
Photo Credits:
- ABRoads: 04/22/17
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Page Updated Thursday May 11, 2017.