North Bend’s Main Street will be rebuilt starting next year.

NDoT updates Main Street construction project

by Nathan Arneal
Published 8/4/21

Property owners along the Main Street and Highway 79 corridor received letters last week from the Nebraska Department of Transportation with an update on the highway improvement project set to begin next year.

The letters highlight a few changes in the plans since the project was first unveiled to the public in 2020.

Downtown North Bend was able to gain a few parking spots back. The initial plans had 15 of the 60 spaces being removed. The North Bend City Council asked if there wasn’t a way to keep some of those spaces in place. The revised plans show only 10 spaces being lost.

In general, the parking spaces closest to intersections are being removed to allow for a greater turning radius at the corners and to comply with required setbacks from stop signs and cross walks mandated by state law.

The plan was also updated to note that the three trees incorporated into the downtown sidewalks – in front of the North Bend Eagle, Shear Design and North Bend Insurance – will be removed because of their proximity to the curb, which will be replaced. Four trees north of downtown between 11th and 14th streets will also have to be removed.

The updated plan also reflects the antique-style lighting being added downtown, something the city council approved earlier this year.

The city will also be taking advantage of Main Street being torn up to move some of the water mains located under the street. They will be moved into the right of way beside the road to make them accessible without tearing up the street.

The timetable of the project remains unchanged, with construction set to begin in spring 2022 and be completed in early 2023 for a cost of $5.5 million, which will come from federal and state funds.

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