Commissioners concerned about possible I-80 detours to Hwy. 30

A pair of proposed projects that call for a detour of a section of Interstate 80 traffic onto U.S. Highway 30 could cause traffic snarls, the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners warned.

At a regular meeting on Monday, commissioners unanimously approved submitting a letter outlining their concerns regarding the proposed projects to the Nebraska Department of Roads.

The projects, planned for three, seven-month construction seasons between 2018-’20, would occur between Potter and Brownson.

A portion of County Road 99 would be closed for five weeks during the summers of the first two years to accommodate bridge work over I-80.

The planned detour would divert traffic onto County Road 20, Highway 30 and Nebraska Highway 19.

During the same time, both directions of I-80 traffic would be detoured around the Brownson interchange. Westbound traffic would exit at mile marker 55, and eastbound traffic would exit at mile marker 46. The traffic would be diverted to Hwy. 30.

The proposed $29 million project would be funded by federal and state sources, according to the NDOR.

In the letter, the commissioners wrote that they have heard several concerns from the public regarding the proposed projects.

In 2012, due to a major traffic crash, traffic on I-80 was temporarily diverted to the same area called for in the plans.

“There were serious delays,” the letter states. “In addition, there is an area on the route known as Point of Rocks where the road lacks full-length shoulders, and there have been reports of deer in the area roaming close to the road.”

Accidents could easily happen with brief distractions and slight veering, the letter explains.

“We also anticipate increased use of U.S. Highway 30 during the harvest season, when wide-load equipment will be using the same roadway,” Commissioners said.

While the board said it appreciates the need to update and repair roads, it wants NDOR to be aware of the county’s concerns so it can implement procedures to make the transition “safe for the citizens of Cheyenne County as well those visiting the county.”

Following the commissioner’s approval, the letter will now be submitted to NDOR.

The state agency is accepting public comments regarding the proposed construction projects through Friday. More information about the project can be found at: http://www.roads.nebraska.gov/projects and then click on “Brownson East.”