Traffic diversion to begin Monday

An informational sign (above) informs motorists that part of the traffic on B Street will be diverted into two lanes beginning Monday

Work on the second of three projects to reconstruct "B" Street through McCook is about to get under way, according to the Nebraska Department of Roads.

The project will begin where the first ended, between West Fourth and West Third, and will continue to just east of East Seventh Street.

Work will consist of replacing all of the concrete pavement, storm sewer, water mains, traffic signals, and roadway lighting. In addition, bridge approach repairs and pavement patching/sealing will be accomplished on U.S. Highway 83 from the south corporate limits north to B Street.

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and other officials are encouraging the use of city-owned parking lots (indicated in yellow, at right) during the construction and restoration project.

As with the first project, all work will be completed in phases under traffic. In Phase I, traffic will be moved to the existing north two lanes.

This change is planned for Monday, weather permitting. The pavement on the south half of B Street from West Fourth Street to approximately East Fourth Street will be broken up and removed to be crushed for use as a foundation for the new pavement.

Once the existing pavement is removed, crews will begin replacing water mains and relocating other utilities that conflict with the new work. Construction of a new storm sewer system will follow shortly after, then minor grading, placement of a crushed concrete foundation, and finally paving. Phase I is expected to be complete sometime around July 1.

Temporary traffic signals at the intersections of Norris Avenue and later at the U.S. Highway 83 Junction will be used to keep the nearly 12,000 vehicles that use this road daily moving safely during construction. Temporary driveways and intersections will be used as necessary to provide access to affected businesses after the existing pavement is removed. These will be constructed of crushed concrete or aggregate to provide an all weather surface.

At least every other intersection will be open to cross traffic during construction. Shoppers are also reminded to make use of the over 140 public parking spaces available in city of McCook parking lots in the downtown area during construction. Roadway lighting will be maintained throughout the project by using the existing street lights on the north side of B Street during Phase I and the new street lights on the south side during Phases II and III while the north and center lanes are completed.

Preliminary work is under way this week involving the relocation of utilities and the installation of temporary traffic signals and other traffic control for the project. Paulsen Inc. of Cozad is the prime contractor on this $3.2 million dollar project. Completion of the entire project is expected in early summer 2004.