Omaha-area residents frustrated by road closures

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Several road construction projects in the Omaha area are negatively affecting businesses and commuters.

Omaha officials said they understand frustrations with road closures and detours, but ask residents for patience. The road work aims to lessen congestion and encourage residential and commercial growth.

A portion of a street in Sarpy County is closed to add two more lanes, and add medians and turn lanes. The closure is one of the area’s largest road construction projects.

Nail shop owner Jenny Nguyen told the Omaha World-Herald that the road closure makes it more difficult for customers to reach her store. Business has dropped by half since the street closed in March, she said. The street won’t reopen until the end of the year.

The road widening is needed to manage rising traffic counts fueled by population growth, said Todd Pfitzer, Omaha city engineer. About 17,700 vehicles use the street daily, but officials estimate the number will grow to about 30,500 daily by 2040.

The Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area population continues to climb toward 1 million.

Some of the largest projects are ongoing west of Interstate 680, but there is also construction in Ralston and South Omaha.

Transportation officials are working to ensure projects are finished on schedule by putting provisions in contracts that penalize contractors for not meeting deadlines. Road builders may face daily fines if construction isn’t completed on time.

The Iowa Department of Transportation used similar provisions in contracts for projects underway to improve two interstates in Council Bluffs.

Omaha resident Jordyn Lastovica has to take a detour to get to her son’s day care center because of a road closure. Her typical 25-minute drive now takes up to 45 minutes, but Lastovica said she understands the need for road improvements.

“Omaha is a growing community,” she said. “In the long run (the wider street) is going to be nice.”

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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com