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The planned expansion of Highway 92 west of Omaha has some thrilled because of safety concerns, but could impact properties, including popular local small businesses. The project targets a 16-mile stretch of the highway from Highway 77 on the west near Mead to 204th on the east.”Highway 92 is a big part of our business,” said Tony Ellsworth of Ellsworth Crossing, a market that offers selections from several small Nebraska farms. “We get a lot of people saying, ‘I’ve been driving by your business, wanting to stop there.'”But one option currently published by the Nebraska Department of Transportation would cause major issues. A map shows the business would likely need to be relocated, the expansion of the highway would go right up to the business’ front door.Ellsworth says safety is the first priority, but “don’t wipe out the family businesses, including our own, which is five years of blood, sweat and tears.”The south expansion option, on the other hand, would plow right through a popular dive bar: Buck’s Bar and Grill.”It’s their happy place,” said owner Brad “Buck” Bennett. “A lot of people come from far away, and then a lot of locals come from right across the street.”Bennett also said he understands the “need for progress,” but he said he’s concerned about the business. He called it a “unicorn” that couldn’t simply be rebuilt.The project would cost $250 million-$300 million of state and federal funds, according to NDOT. NDOT officials were unavailable for comment on Thursday, but project materials indicate the plans are not yet finalized. The presentation documents include an 18-foot median, which it notes is narrower than typical designs. West of the Platte River, options include rerouting the highway south of Yutan.NDOT is accepting public comments on the project through May 20, with construction not expected to begin before 2028.More information is available here.
The planned expansion of Highway 92 west of Omaha has some thrilled because of safety concerns, but could impact properties, including popular local small businesses.
The project targets a 16-mile stretch of the highway from Highway 77 on the west near Mead to 204th on the east.
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“Highway 92 is a big part of our business,” said Tony Ellsworth of Ellsworth Crossing, a market that offers selections from several small Nebraska farms. “We get a lot of people saying, ‘I’ve been driving by your business, wanting to stop there.'”
But one option currently published by the Nebraska Department of Transportation would cause major issues. A map shows the business would likely need to be relocated, the expansion of the highway would go right up to the business’ front door.
Ellsworth says safety is the first priority, but “don’t wipe out the family businesses, including our own, which is five years of blood, sweat and tears.”
The south expansion option, on the other hand, would plow right through a popular dive bar: Buck’s Bar and Grill.
“It’s their happy place,” said owner Brad “Buck” Bennett. “A lot of people come from far away, and then a lot of locals come from right across the street.”
Bennett also said he understands the “need for progress,” but he said he’s concerned about the business. He called it a “unicorn” that couldn’t simply be rebuilt.
The project would cost $250 million-$300 million of state and federal funds, according to NDOT.
NDOT officials were unavailable for comment on Thursday, but project materials indicate the plans are not yet finalized. The presentation documents include an 18-foot median, which it notes is narrower than typical designs. West of the Platte River, options include rerouting the highway south of Yutan.
NDOT is accepting public comments on the project through May 20, with construction not expected to begin before 2028.
More information is available here.
