Nebraska Department of Roads

A Performance-based Transportation Agency 2003 Report

Leaders in Public Safety and Service since 1895 From the Director ...

Since 1895, the Nebraska Department of Roads has served the citizens of Nebraska. We've accomplished this by doing "the right things right" based on valid data collection and analysis and the use of emerging technologies.

We measure our performance in an effort to continually improve the service we provide to our customers and taxpayers of Nebraska.

Again this year, we had a roadway disaster. On I-80 near Big Springs, Nebraska, a semi-trailer truck slammed into the center pier of an overpass and caused the bridge to collapse onto one of the nation's busiest highways. Our crews and partners responded, ensured public safety, and quickly restored I-80 to service.

We may not be able to spend it as we do a dollar bill, but the "Currency of the future is TRUST." We strive to retain your trust by making the best use of every dollar we spend. That has been and will continue to be an ever challenging task.

I submit to you the Nebraska Department of Roads' 2003 Annual Report that summarizes the past year and plans for the future. I welcome your comments on how we are doing and how we can improve.

John L. Craig Director Critical Transportation Issues

The Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) has identified some critical issues in transportation that face the nation. The State of Nebraska is affected by many of these issues, is aware of them, and strives to address them.

Safety - Fatalities and injuries from transportation crashes are a major health problem. Thousands more deaths could be averted each year if safety belt use continues to rise beyond 79 percent of motorists.

Security - The transportation system is vulnerable to attacks by terrorists and saboteurs. Improved technologies, operations, and strategies for deterrence are needed. These same measures will also provide better response to disasters and evacuations.

Environment - Worthy environmental goals and values pose serious challenges to the operation and expansion of transportation facilities to meet growing demand. Transportation agencies are key stewards of the environment and must find new ways to satisfy public demand for travel and for meeting environmental goals.

Institutional Constraints - The transportation system is a patchwork of loosely connected modes encompassing 35,000 government owners of roads; ten of thousands of private carriers; and thousands of independent authorities responsible for the numerous modes. The funding mechanisms for these entities remain unconnected and uncoordinated.

Aging Infrastructure - The aging transportation infrastructure must be rebuilt, but the cost exceeds revenues.

Finance - The financing of publicly provided transportation infrastructure is not adequately matched to use or need.

Energy - The U.S. transportation system, which depends on fossil fuels, faces an uncertain future with respect to the availability and cost of energy.

Economics - The economic vitality of the nation depends on global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency.

Human Resources - Transportation organizations are having difficulty attracting and retaining the technically diverse personnel needed in the 21st century.

Information Technologies - The merging of information technologies with transportation offers the greatest potential for innovation.

Aging Population - An aging population poses special safety and mobility challenges. More than 19 percent of Americans will be age 65 or older by 2025. The mobility needs of older people change, and alternative travel modes are needed.

Congestion - The demand for passenger travel and freight movement is straining the capacity of the U.S. transportation system, and the volume of traffic continues to rapidly grow. Critical Transportation Issues

This fourth annual report illustrates how the Nebraska Department of Roads is addressing some of these issues.

3 Quality “It is a frame of mind” ➢ Our “True North” Integrity by Evidence Trust Hold the Public Based Decision Making ➢

Safety Public Safety Employee Safety

provide and maintain, in cooperation with public and in cooperation with public provide and maintain,

Our Values private organizations, a safe, efficient, affordable, and affordable, a safe, efficient, private organizations, transportation system forcoordinated statewide the and goods. movement of people Our Mission Statement Our Mission To

Our transportation system is safe, Our transportation secure, reliable, sensitive, environmentally seamless, intelligent, economic growth. and supports user-friendly, ➢ 4 Transportation... Our "True North" State Tax Rates State Tax Annual Vehicle Miles of Licensed Drivers Registered Vehicles Annual FuelUse P Land Area opulation Tr Gasohol...... 24.6 ...... 24.6 Diesel ...... 24.6 Gasoline T Snowmobile...... 915 T T Government...... 36,110 Dealer...... 13,789 T Motorcycle...... 26,931 ...... 1,951 Bus Mobile Home...... 35,718 ...... 1,076,415 Passenger T ...... 326,135,113 Gasohol ...... 357,685,438 Diesel ...... 563,272,739 Gasoline otal...... 2,018,929 ...... 3,736 ax Exempt otal...... 1,247,093,290 a uk...... 521,385 ruck ...... 301,979 railers vel (millions) Nebraska TransportationataGlance s.miles) (sq. (2000 Census) ...... 18,404 (cents pergallon) ...... 1,306,513 (gallons) ...... 76,872.4 ...... 1,711,263 Calendar Year 2002 Calendar Year Airports Bridges Accidents andFatalities Public RoadMiles Wa Rail T ransit Commercial Service...... 6 Public Use...... 90 T ...... 12,125 County andCitySystem ...... 3,501 State System Fatalities...... 307 ...... 272 Fatal Accidents To T State...... 9,969 County...... 8,238 ...... 78,120 City T Commodities Moved ...... 3,480 Miles Operated ...... 73 Counties Served ...... 71 Providers terways otal...... 15,626 otal...... 96,327 rias...... 11 erminals (2001) tal Accidents...... 46,238 (highways, roads, streets) (tons) ...... 443,103,601

5 Transportation at a Glance 75-Up tal Crashes All Crashes Fa 65-74 “Click It. Don’t Risk Ð 55-64 Ð To reduce the number To Ð 45-54 Age Group of Driver Age Group 35-44 25-34 atal Crashes and All Crashes, 2002 All Crashes, atal Crashes and centage of Drivers, by Age, Involved in Involved Age, by centage of Drivers, F r

5% 0% 15-24

35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 40% Pe % of Drivers in Crashes in Drivers of % of run-off-road crashes, rumble strips have been crashes, rumble strips of run-off-road installed on the shoulders of all rural sections of Interstate on the 80. Rumble strips are being installed shoulders of new and existing rural expressways. highways to have goal is for all rural four-lane NDOR’s rumble strips. Installation of Rumble Strips Campaign for Safety Belt Usage It,” with University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Frank Solich as the Honorary Chairperson, is a statewide campaign, started in September 2002, that supports the NDOR is also testing, in two locations, the effects of NDOR is also testing, in two locations, the effects centerline rumble strips to reduce the number of head- on crashes. 30 percent of reportable crashes are single Nationally, that rumble strips Statistics show vehicle run-off-road. crashes. reduce the rate of run-off-road ■ Nebraska Highway Safety Summits 1 and 2 Nebraska Highway Safety Summits and the Federal The Nebraska Department of Roads the second Administration jointly hosted Highway March 2003. One Nebraska Highway Safety Summit in about the successful purpose of the summit was to hear in 2002. activities undertaken after the first summit ■ In an effort to minimize accidents and fatalities, we accidents and fatalities, to minimize In an effort and with wider shoulders to build our highways continue and slopes, added recovery areas, bridges, gentler curves devices, more advanced traffic improved barrier systems, have also pursued to alert drivers. We and rumble strips for two programs, Campaign for and provided support and Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety. Safety Belt Usage younger drivers who are involved Both campaigns target number of crashes. in a disproportionate 18.40 National 17.94 '02 (per HMVM) '01 (per HMVM) 17.72 '00 17.57 Mission: Safety Safety Mission: '99 (per MVM) '98 17.22 16.79 Calendar Year '97 (In Billion Miles) Killed '96 16.19 15.81 otal Vehicle Miles of Travel Travel Miles of Vehicle otal T '95 Injured on All Roadways in Nebraska on All Roadways '94 15.46 19.0 18.5 18.0 17.5 17.0 16.5 16.0 15.5 15.0

Accidents hicle Miles Traveled Miles hicle Ve tal Persons Persons Accident Rate Rate Fatality Rate Fatality Million Vehicle Miles (MVM) Hundred Million Vehicle Miles (HMVM) Vehicle Miles (MVM) Hundred Million Vehicle Million Nebraska Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Information Traffic Nebraska Motor Vehicle s the steward of the state highway system, the of the state s the steward made (NDOR) has Department of Roads Nebraska

To ear 6 ‘92‘93 40,198‘94 43,822‘95 22,227 44,222‘96 26,149 46,436 270‘97 28,253 47,371 254‘98 30,410 47,997 271‘99 30,758 48,183 3.20 254‘00 30,311 48,217 2.97 293‘01 30,655 47,933 2.86 302‘02 29,905 47,894 2.94 315 2.1 29,216 46,238 2.93 295 1.7 26,751 2.86 276 1.8 23,379 2.80 246 1.6 1.7 2.74 307 1.8 1.7 2.70 1.8 1.7 2.67 1.8 1.7 2.51 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Although our traffic has increased, the accident rate per has increased, Although our traffic million vehicles miles (MVM) has continued to decrease. In 2002, there were 18.40 billion vehicle miles of travel on 18.40 billion vehicle miles of travel In 2002, there were in an increase of 10 percent all roadways in Nebraska, approximate 10,000 miles of the state The five years. is the responsibility of the highway system, which all carried more than 64 percent of Department of Roads, 87 percent of all the commercial truck and the traffic Over 3.897 billion vehicle miles of travel occurred traffic. an increase of on the Interstate system within Nebraska, 20 percent in five years. safety of its employees, contractors and the traveling safety of its employees, is to reduce injuries, Our mission public its highest priority. losses from motor vehicle crashes deaths and economic in Nebraska. A

Mission: Safety Y deaths. The fourtopicswere: achieve theirultimategoalofreducinghighwaytraffic discuss fourmajortopicsandtoidentifystrategies professionals fromavarietyofareasandexpertiseto The otherpurposeofthesummitwasforhighwaysafety increase itto80percentby2004. 2002, 76percentin2003,andthegoalofcoalitionisto Usage. SafetybeltusageinNebraskawas70percent Nebraska CoalitiontoSaveLivesthroughSafetyBelt underage drinkingwithspeakersfromacrossthecountry. as drunkdriving,DWIadjudication,enforcement,and forum inLincoln.Focusoftheincludessuchissues State Attorney Generalwillco-hosttheNovember2003 one-day ImpairedDriving/AlcoholForum.MADDandthe Safety Administration (NHTSA)RegionVIItosupporta A specific strategiestoreducealcohol-relatedcrashes. State Attorney Generalformedataskforcetoidentify Against DrunkDriving(MADD),inpartnershipwiththe activities. The group,ledbySimeraReynoldsofMothers Impaired Driving/Alcohol,isalreadyproceedingwith with thegoalof“savinglives.”Onegroups, problems andpotentialsolutionswithinthesebroadareas In thebreakoutgroups,professionalsdiscussed ■ Department Programs grant wasreceivedfromtheNationalHighway Traffic ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Greater OmahaChapter. are availableforloanfromtheNationalSafetyCouncil, Copies ofthevideo,tobeusedinprogramsstatewide, Princess Dianaandsafetybeltusewasdeveloped. An excellentvideo“Diana’s LastMessage”about enforcement). various communitygroups(faith,school,youth,law brochures weredistributionto700,000homesand and geographicgroups(ruralpick-uptruckdrivers). The age groups(males21-34andyoungteendrivers), were distributed. They targetedtwohigh-riskgroups: Through thecoalition1.3millioneducationalbrochures Orange Windsocks Ð their lanebenefitsallmotorists. anything thathelpstruckers tostayontheroadandin when theyarepullingempty trailers.Ofcourse, Windsocks areparticularly helpful totruckers,especially possibility ofdangerousgusts andcrosswinds. strength. The windsocksalertmotoriststo the are nowwarnedofthedirectionwindandits windsocks” erectedalongNebraskahighways,travelers Red LightRunning/IntersectionSafety Speeding Impaired Driving/Alcohol Older/Younger Drivers With theassistanceof“orange planned: The windsockswaveatthefollowinglocationswithmore ■ bicycles safely anddefensively. Itisbelieved thatwhen Bike.” Informationinthebooklet teacheschildrentoride toZby bicycle safety/trainingbooklet entitled“From A In July2003,theDepartment purchasedcopiesofthe young children. their useinconductingbicycle safetyseminarsgearedfor laws, wassenttolawenforcementoffices andschoolsfor bicycle safetytipsandasummaryofNebraska The portionoftheNebraskaBicycleGuide,whichhas and maximizebicyclesafetyontheroadways. The goalistominimizeconflictswithroadwayconstruction cross-country bicyclistsplantheirroutesthroughNebraska. Bicycle Coordinatorassistsridinggroupsandindividual roadways andwithsurfacedshoulders. The State bicycle laws,andastatemapshowinglow-volume guide hasbicyclesafetytips,asummaryofNebraska’s website atwww.dor.state.ne.us “HikingandBiking”link. The The NebraskaBicycleGuidecanbefoundonNDOR’s Bicycle andPedestrianSafety trip-worthy vehicles. vehicle maintenancetohelpensurethattheyaredriving checklist willassisttheoperatorsintheirinspectionsand complete andsignduringtheirpre-tripinspections. This checklist formforoperatorsofpublictransitvehiclesto and federalfunding.In2003theDepartmentdevelopeda those publictransportationsystemswhichreceivestate schedules, safetyinspections,anddrivertraining,for operational safetystandards,suchasvehiclemaintenance The Departmentsetstheminimumequipmentand Public TransportationSafetyProgram ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ W smoother, improvedroadsthatmayultimatelysavelives. inconvenience; theyareessentialforbuildingsafer, work zonesaremuchmorethanatemporary in Nebraska.Itisimportanttorememberthathighway 260 statehighwayconstructionprojectswereunderway year. During the2003constructionseasonmorethan awareness isagoalfortheDepartmentthroughout Safety. Continuoussafetyeducationandpublic Roads conductedanactivecampaignforWork Zone A proclaimed April 6-12,2003as“NebraskaWork Zone wareness Week,” andtheNebraskaDepartmentof At theI-80andI-76junctionnearBigSprings. At US-77andNebraskaHighway33southofLincoln At theWaverly exitandwestoftheGoehner ork ZoneAwareness (I-80) nearGretna Nebraska Highway31overpassonInterstate80 On US-20nearLongPine I-80 atthePlatteRiver Ð Governor MikeJohanns

7 Mission: Safety consists of several consists of Highway Highway ighway resurfacing and ighway resurfacing h asphalt Portland cement concrete historical ratings customized reports manual and automated pavement ratings he Nebraska Highway Program Highway Program he Nebraska Digital images of highway surface Decision criteria ¥ ¥ single- Life-cycle cost analysis, budgeting strategies, rankings multi-year benefit cost analysis, and Pavement Management Data ¥ ¥ ¥ major componentsÐ ■ ■ ■ Pavement Management System Pavement Management been designing software for a multi- The Department has program,” that would year “pavement optimization categories of information. It is process six major will be ready 1.0 of this program anticipated that Version by January 2004. In 2003, NDOR for final distribution using information from four of the tested the program categories: ■ The two remaining categories, Maintenance Data and The two remaining categories, Maintenance for development in Performance Curves, are projected the next one to three years. provides The output from this “optimization program” in determining information to assist upper management and construction what type and degree of maintenance activities should be recommended on certain sections of roadways. It provides guidance on timing and cost in relation to other roadways and is a multi-year “optimization information for future- Therefore, it can provide program.” This year activities, and can be financially constrained. the most cost-effective to determine enhances our efforts approach in programming projects for construction, repair, maintenance, and the Pavement Extension Program (PEP). Projects in PEPusually roadways with a are Nebraska Serviceability Index (NSI) between 65 and 72, and the goal is to extend the life of the pavement an additional eight years. Analysis of the Pavement Management Data are used to Assessment” develop the annual “State Highway Needs document which is published and presented to the Analysis in this Nebraska Legislature each December. document are also used internally to assist management in the allocation of resources between districts. reconstruction, bridge repair and replacement, and reconstruction, bridge maintenance. T 8 Increase safety belt use by conducting random spot checks at selected locations. Revise the Employee Safety Handbook, post on The a binder. website, and publish in NDOR’s Handbook will provide guidelines for safety-related operations and exposures faced on the job. Complete five additional modules on Forklifts, Aid that are Accident Reviews, and First Inspections, The modules Training. used for Safety Meetings and and target website will be available on NDOR’s specific improvements in these areas. wo copies of this bicycle safety booklet were sent to booklet were of this bicycle safety wo copies ■ ■ ■ Goals for 2003 are: NDOR now provides training for First Aid and CPR NDOR now provides training for First (AHA) Association American Heart based on the American Red Cross, The switch from the standards. AHA, which to the which required certification every year, requires certification every two years, will result in a saving of half the cost. NDOR's Staff Development personnel updated the NDOR's Staff Program to include written and hands-on Training Flagger quality of our training tests. By updating the Program the Safety Services Traffic American was improved, and the approved the training. Association (ATSSA) Employee safety is our highest priority. Over the past Employee safety is our highest priority. new employee year 105 employees completed the there are Also, orientation on rules and policies. as, CPR, seventeen safety training modules; such Driving and Defensive Safety, Flagger Operations, Office Divisions. that are available to the Districts and Employee Safety Program NDOR continues to coordinate and promote bicycling and coordinate and promote bicycling NDOR continues to this of transportation. Our partners in walking as a mode the Game and Parks Commission, endeavor include of Office Health and Human Services, the Nebraska Tourism. the Nebraska Division of and Highway Safety, T Additional copies in Nebraska. each elementary school schools conducting a bicycle can be sent to elementary is also coordinating with city training course. NDOR departments, who are conducting police and sheriff for school children. bicycle safety seminars children learn the rules of the road and are taught to ride road and are the rules of the children learn better they become and courteously, bicycles safely motor vehicles. drivers of Mission: Safety continued Safety Mission: Mission: Safety ■ ■ ■ maintenance: Nebraska, wehavethreetypesofpavement treatments aimedatpreservingourroadways.In integrates manymaintenancestrategiesand pavementpreservationprogram preservation. A Pavement maintenanceisthekeytopavement Pavement Maintenance roadway canbereducedby$4.00. the lifecyclecostofmaintainingagivensegment that forevery$1.00spentonpreventativemaintenance, the needforcorrectivemaintenance.Studieshaveshown the rightroadattime,”maypreventorprolong preventative maintenance,“completingtherightrepairon pavement preservationprogram.However, emphasizing All typesofmaintenanceareneededinacomplete Program extensive cracking. moderate tosevererutting,ravelingor deficiency occursinthepavement,suchas Emergency Ð Corrective/reactive Preventative the functionalconditionofsystem. future deterioration,andmaintainsorimproves system thatpreservesthesystem,retards effective treatmentstoanexistingroadway am temporary treatmentsthatholdsurfacetogetheruntil needs repairimmediatelyandcouldalsoinclude situation, suchasablowuporseverepotholethat 100% 20% 40% 60% 80% 66% 29% 5% '95 0% ore permanenttreatmentcanbeperformed. 23% 73% '96 4% Pavement ConditionRatings Ð plannedstrategyofcost- 74% 22% 4% '97 performed duringanemergency (Nebraska ServiceabilityIndex) 18% 80% 2% '98 Ð performedaftera State System 12% 86% 2% '99 13% 85% 2% '00 13% 85% '01 2% 16% 81% 3% '02 84% 14% '03 2% rih lwT,Fo,adWti ersab rc:1998 Freight FlowTo,From,andWithinNebraskabyTruck: Ve Poor & Fair Very Good & ry Poor Good Condition Report construction program. Extension Programandtheannualresurfacing This isdue,inpart,totheDepartment’s Pavement percentin2003. percent in1994,to84 increased from55 pavement ingoodandveryconditionstatewidehas in improvingitsroadwaycondition. The percentageof tons oftruckweight,NDORcontinuestomakeprogress Even withthisincreaseinmilesoftrucktraffic andgross theseroadways. on estimated totalof percentoverthepast sixyears.In2000,therewasan 20 1.92 billionweretruckvehiclemiles,anincreaseof Nebraska had11.82 billionvehiclemilesoftravel which In 2002,the9,969milesofstate-maintainedroadwaysin 100% 20% 40% 60% 80% 64% 14% 22% 0% '95 14% 77% 9% '96 Pavement SmoothnessRatings 78% 13% '97 9% 55 billionton-milesoftruck weight (International RoughnessIndex) 79% 13% '98 8% State System 82% 11% '99 7% 11% 82% '00 7% '01 83% 11% 6% '02 12% 84% 4% 12% 84% '03 4% 9 Highway Program tion Program, also known as the one- as the also known tion Program, An additional “consultation process” is being An additional “consultation Communication Division also NDOR’s developed for the non-metropolitan local officials. developed for the process” will be implemented The “consultation will begin with the Department in early 2004 and the 625 elected or appointed sending letters to villages, and first- and clerks of the counties, These local in Nebraska. second-class cities the opportunity to offered will be officials input into the STIPcomment and provide and Plan (LRTP). Transportation the Long-Range and coordinates public participation in developing Program. implementing the Highway Construction during Public meetings and hearings are held of highway the development and design phases These are held across the state year- projects. week round and averaged nearly two every is also during 2003. Citizen input about projects writing, by received through personal contact, in entire telephone and e-mail throughout the process. ■ ■ Highway Construc Highway which is annually construction plan, and five-year Transportation Statewide and includes the published also address These meetings Plan (STIP). Improvement intelligent operations, issues, maintenance public transit and other emerging system programs, transportation issues and programs. transportation * Bridges NDOR personnel inspect and assess bridges following the instructions in the Bridge Inspection Manual and Coding Guide which is based on the National Bridge Inventory Standards (NBIS). During the inspection, the condition ratings are entered into laptop computers using the Bridge Inspection System of Nebraska (BISON) software The data is which was developed by NDOR personnel. then downloaded, and in cases where the condition of certain bridge elements has deteriorated, the bridge is In reanalyzed for a reduced load-carrying capacity. addition, BISON links the inspection with digital photography and Geo-Spatial Information Systems (GIS) mapping. Comments and questions can be sent to NDOR's Comments and questions can be sent will respond or Communication Division, whose personnel such as, direct the correspondence to other divisions, Materials and Planning and Project Development, Rail Right-of-Way, Research, Roadway Design, Bridge, and Highway Commission so their Transit, and Public experts can respond. affic Tr >20 ft <20 ft 96,327 15,626 37,317 773 Highways Bridges Culverts Signals Ð 432 miles of resurfacing and Ð 100 percent of the interstate projects Ð 410 miles or 68 percent, of the (NDOR responsibility) Ð Accelerate completion of projects with Accelerate Ð Ð complete 600 miles of the expressway Ð complete interstate reconstruction in Ð complete interstate reconstruction Interstate SystemDesignated Expressways SystemBalance of Roadways on 8,877 600 482 otals otal State System 9,959 3,501 37,317 773 (432 vehicle signals, 41 pedestrian crossing signals and approximately 300 beacons) (432 vehicle signals, 41 pedestrian crossing signals County and City SystemsT * 86,368 12,125 T State System geometric deficiencies system within 15 years. Omaha within 20 years. Public input is solicited every fall during transportation planning meetings held in each of the eight field address the The meetings districts across Nebraska. 2003 Progress 2003 Progress 1988 Goal 1988 Goal 2003 Progress 2003 Progress 2003 Progress 1988 Goal 135 miles of reconstruction were completed this year. in Omaha have been completed. or let to expressway system has been completed contract. 10 ■ NDOR uses three major means to solicit, receive, and Transportation respond to public participation in its Surface Annually NDOR participates in approximately 150 Program. scheduled public involvement meetings. Public Participation ■ ■ ■ Progress made through 2003, based on 1988 Needs Progress made through 2003, based Study. Delivering the Program program The fiscal year 2003 highway construction total project contained 157 projects, with an estimated 2003, 154 of the As of June 30, cost of $313.3 million. cost of $304.1 projects have been let at a total project This reflects a 98 percent delivery rate of the one- million. year construction program. State Highway System Highway State streets in roads, and miles of highways, Of the 96,327 for of Roads is responsible the Department Nebraska, Highway planning, provides the proper of roadway and 9,959 miles of the and operation maintenance, design, construction, bridges, system also includes: The system. state highway signals. culverts, and traffic Program ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ were: manage constructionprojectsforNDOR.” The focusareas Summitwiththeattendeesbeing“peoplewho Managers’ In November2002,NDORhosteditsfirstProject Construction andMaintenance meet standards. percentnationallywhich meet standardscomparedto73 percent governments. Ofthetotal15,626bridges,74 system and12,125underthejurisdictionoflocal In 2003,Nebraskahad15,626bridges;3,501onthestate Inventory (NBI)database. the NationalBridge information andincludedin bridge inspection combined withthestate end oftheyearthisdatais photos anddata. At the governments tostoretheir website forlocal to providespaceonits bridges. NDORisplanning use wheninspectinglocal cities andcountiesfortheir the BISONsoftwareto In 2002,NDORprovided than torepairit. cost-effective toreplaceit to apointwhereitismore deterioration hasprogressed scheduled whenstructural Bridge replacementis repair work,orreplacement. maintenance, majororminor will undergopreventative to establishwhichbridges The bridgeratingsareused on theirprojects.” the bottomlinewasforprojectmanagersto“bepro-active After allofthediscussions,itwasgenerallyagreedthat T Dealing withtheMediaandPublic Divisions Dealing withtheConstructionandMaterials&Research Dealing withUtilities,Right-of-Way, andRailroads Dealing withtheLincolnDesignDivisions Contractor Relations raffic ControlIssues 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% 45% 37% 78% Percentage ofStructurallySoundand Functionally Adequate Bridges Functionally Adequate '90 63% 86% 56% '92 61% 89% 67% current 37,317culverts. hours atacostof$407,630, checkingandcleaningour example, in2002maintenance personnelspent5,641 maintenance workalongNebraska's roadways.For encounter thesehazardouswastesastheyperform methamphetamine labs.NDOR'smaintenancecrews may materials, equipmentandsupplies,fromdiscarded information onhowtorecognizeandhandlehazardous T Resources. personnel providedinformationonLogisticsandHuman Explorer page.Intheothertwosessions,NDOR distresses andthedigitalPhotologonRoadway NDOR's websitewhereemployeescanviewpavement Management personnelshowedseveralwebpageson experiences. At anothersession,thePavement discussed maintenanceoperationsandsharedpersonal Icing/Deicing andWork ZoneSigning,attendees five breakoutsessions. At twoofthesessions, Anti- At NDOR'sMay2003Maintenanceconferencetherewere areas identifiedattheSummit. session topicswereincludedthataddressedthefocus to includesixbreakoutsessions.Inthese Conference,heldinMarch2003,wasmodified Managers’ Managers Summit,theformatofNDOR’s annualProject Based ontheinputanddiscussionatProject roopers fromtheNebraskaStatePatrolprovided '95 91% 69% 63% '97 92% 65% 71% '00 66% 92% 72% Local T State otal '01 67% 73% 93% '02 68% 74% 93% '03

11 Highway Program Miles of Track of Miles 3,700 3,650 3,600 3,550 3,500 3,450 3,400 3,350 '01 443.1 Freight '00 396.7 Tons of Miles of Track Miles of '99 408.3 '98 388.7 of Freight Carried in Nebraska of Freight Carried in Miles of Track and Million Tons and Million Tons Miles of Track '97 315.3

500 420 340 260 180 100 Million Tons of Freight of Tons Million 2,760 private crossings 3,910 public crossings (271 on the state 3,910 public crossings (271 on the highway system and 3,639 on local roads) ¥ ¥ Rail/Highway Grade Crossing Program Nebraska have more Some highway/railroad crossings in At the than any crossing in any other state. train traffic 6,670 railroad there were a total of end of FY-2003 crossings. Of these crossings, over 750 carry more than 40 trains Of these crossings, over 750 carry per day. through Nebraska has The high density of train traffic is continually raised public safety concerns. NDOR - Brandon Freight Flows by Rail - 1999 (tons) Rail and Public and Rail - Nebraska, Kansas, and - Nebraska, Kansas, - Nebraska Central Railroad, - Union Pacific Railroad Transportation Programs Transportation o Class I Railroads (UPRR) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (UPRR) and Burlington (BNSF). Colorado Railnet, Inc; Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Colorado Railnet, and Chicago, Central, and Railroad, Kyle Railroad, Pacific Railroad. Railway; Corporation; Omaha, Lincoln, and Beatrice and Sidney and Lowe Railroad. Three switching or terminal railroads Three Local Railroads Four Regional Railroads Tw Nebraska Northeastern Railway Co, and NEBKOTA Nebraska Northeastern Railway Co, Inc. Railway, 12 welve railroads operate in the State of Nebraska: welve railroads operate The 1999 map of total rail freight flows to, from, and within Nebraska represents 408.3 million This rail freight is a mixture tons. coal of commodities; however, trains shuttling between the Powder River Basin and power plants to the south and east of Since Nebraska dominate the flow. 1997, the total miles of track in Nebraska has decreased, but the million tons of rail freight carried has increased. Freight Rail Northern Santa The Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington operating in Fe Railway are the major rail companies These two railroads are privately owned and Nebraska. counts on the Union Pacific corridor Train maintained. 140 per day between Gibbon and North Platte exceed in the nation. and is the busiest rail freight corridor Fe corridor Counts on the Burlington Northern Santa 70 trains per day. Alliance and Ravenna exceed between has doubled in Over the last twenty years rail traffic Nebraska. ■ ■ ■ ■ RailT and Public Transportation projects forlight-density raillines. The fundingcomesfrom was createdto fundrehabilitationandimprovement The federalLight-DensityRail Line Assistance Program viable light-densityrailsystem. industry andthelocalshippers inordertomaintaina system. NDORwillcontinue toworkwiththeshortline a vitalroleinNebraska’s economyandtransportation them fortransportationoftheirgoodstomarketandplay provide avaluableservicetolocalshipperswhorely on operated bysmallerrailroads. The shortline railroads railroads arelight-densityraillinesandtypically There aretenshortlinerailroadsinNebraska. These Shortline Railroads-Light-DensityRail pursuing safetymeasuresatrailroadcrossings. fatalities whichwillmakeusevenmorediligentin 2001. However, in2002therewasanincreasethese motor vehiclefatalitiesdecreasedfrom1998through crossing closuresfrom1990through2002. The train- The followinggraphshowsthecumulativenumberof and thepoliticalsubdivision. one ormoreothersasselectedandapprovedbyNDOR crossings; oneatornearthelocationofstructureand requires theclosureofaminimumtwoat-grade With theconstructionofanewrailroadviaduct,NDOR closed. delayed becausethepublicdoesnotwantcrossings is typicallyasensitivelocalissueandprojectsareoften that havejurisdictionoverthecrossing.Closingcrossings grade crossingsissolelythatofthepoliticalsubdivisions or nearbycrossingbeclosed. The authorityforclosingat- placed atacrossing,NDORmayrequirethatanadjacent may includethesignalizationofacrossing.Ifsignalsare subdivisions andrecommendscorridorsafetyprojectsthat NDOR workswiththerailroadsandpolitical but delaysarebecomingaseriousproblem. increase safetyanddecreasedelaysatrailroadcrossings, involved withtherailroadsandpoliticalsubdivisionsto

No. of Fatalities 10 15 20 25 in ComparisontoTrain-Motor Vehicle Fatalities 0 5 '92 Cumulative RailroadCrossingClosures '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 Closures Fa talities '99 '00 '01 '02 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Cumulative No. of Closures upgrading linesforcontinuedoperations. upgrade linestominimumstandards,andbenefitsof of tracksandbridges,calculationcostestimatesto in late-2003. This studywouldincludephysicalinspections Phase 2,ifapprovedbytheCouncil,isprojectedtostart of light-densityraillinesinNebraskaweredetermined. was completedinmid-2003.Inthisstudyacorenetwork 1ofthisstudy density raillinesysteminNebraska.Phase The Councilhiredaconsultanttodostudyofthelight- have anoffice staff, soNDORprovidesstaff support. meets asneeded,butatleastonceayear. Itdoesnot program. The Councilisanindependentagencyand members areappointedbytheGovernor, administersthis $2,684,456.77. The NebraskaRailwayCouncil,whose which asofFebruary25,2003hasabalance the Light-DensityRailLine Assistance RevolvingFund, review. final reportwillbereadyfortheN-TRACcommitteeto are beingreviewed.Bytheendof2003,adraft Omaha. Currently, ridershipfiguresandoperatingcosts to Omaha,NorfolkandSouthSiouxCity number ofcorridorstothree. These corridorsareKearney conjunction withtheN-TRACcommittee,narrowed In thepreliminaryresultsofstudy, theconsultant, in consulting firmtodothefeasibilitystudy. including passengerrail,inNebraska.N-TRAChireda types ofpassengersurfacetransportationsystems, Commission iscurrentlystudyingthefeasibilityofdifferent (N-TRAC) wasformed. This Governor-appointed In 1999, The Nebraska Transit andRail Advisory Council Lincoln, Hastings,Holdrege,andMcCook. Chicago andSanFrancisco.ItmakesstopsinOmaha, Zephyr thatpassesthroughNebraskaonitsroutebetween Passenger railinNebraskaislimitedto Amtrak’s California Passenger Rail of directfederal funding. with SouthSioux City, Lincoln andOmahabeingrecipients page. These systems receivestatefundingfromNDOR, Ralston. Boardingsareshown inthetableonnext South SiouxCity, Lincoln,Omaha,Papillion,Bellevue,and funding. There are sixurbanbusoperationslocatedin areas ofthestate. They alsoreceivefederalandstate provide transportationfromruralareastomorepopulated operations. There arealsofourintercitybus systemswhich systems whichreceivestateandfederalfundstosubsidize Currently, thereare61ruralgeneralpublictransportation important roleinthestate,particularlyruralareas. Nebraska’s publictransportationprogrammaintains an Public TransportationProgram

13 Rail and Public Transportation Determine the feasibility of creating coordinated regional creating coordinated the feasibility of Determine transit statewide coordinated or a single transit districts program. ransportation Facility that would link all area surface ransportation Facility currently benefiting ransportation Facility are two projects ¥ Other entities in the State are also conducting transit are also conducting in the State Other entities Astudies. maintenance and storage facility feasibility bus Your Reach for Kearney’s study is being completed There is also transit system. (R.Y.D.E.) Destination Easily underway in Omaha for an Intermodal a feasibility study T at one location. transportation services (MAT) Transit Area with Metro The Department partners earmarks for transit projects. by requesting congressional Center and an Intermodal Transit The Stockyard T Center Transit The Stockyard from this partnership. a joint construction plans are underway through Metro Omaha Public Library, partnership involving MAT, Community Community College, and South Omaha Center Transit The Stockyard Development Corporation. as well as, provide will serve as a bus transfer center, Public Library public transportation for both the Omaha and the Metro Community College. The Summit in September 2003. Transit NDOR hosted a issues in the State of Summit activities focused on transit by representatives Nebraska and included presentations and local transit from various areas of federal, state, with an interest in programs. Participants included those from the future of transit in Nebraska. Representatives officials, local governing boards, state and federal and local transit consulting firms, transit related industries, programs and providers attended. US-30 and railroad bridge crossing the Missouri River near bridge crossing US-30 and railroad Blair, Nebraska. ear Bus Bus Bus Total 9596 582,64897 587,71498 6,417,445 567,53299 6,310,503 8,441 556,62300 6,349,274 8,785 559,122 7,008,534 01 6,367,468 7,767 573,021 6,907,002 02 6,278,440 7,525 627,327 6,924,573 5,914,369 6,707 625,222 6,931,616 4,291,003 6,854 6,844,269 5,165,565 8,478 6,494,244 12,022 4,926,808 5,802,809 Statewide Public Transit Needs Assessment Study will Needs Transit Statewide Public Y Determine the feasibility of providing transit services in Determine the feasibility of providing no transit service. rural areas of Nebraska with little or and Review the current intercity bus programs those programs. determine the feasibility of expanding Public Transportation Passenger Boardings Passenger Transportation Public Fiscal Rural Urban Intercity ransportation Systems (ITS), Access to Jobs, and Ferry Access to ransportation Systems (ITS), Current Systems: 61 6 4 71 be initiated in 2004 and will be funded by NDOR. This will by NDOR. be initiated in 2004 and will be funded be a study to: A NDOR administers a federal capital funding program to NDOR administers a federal capital to purchase vehicles assist private nonprofit organizations of elderly and and equipment for the transportation in processing grant disabled persons. NDOR also assists for rural transit applications for funds available specifically These grant programs are Intelligent systems. T County has received money Buffalo Boat Discretionary. system, and from from ITS, for their automated dispatch Access to Jobs. the ¥ ¥ Rail & Transit Continued & Transit Rail Rail and Public Transportation 14 with manysteepgradesbyupgradingtoafour-lanesection. This projectimprovedthesafetyofaverybusytwo-lane road held attheNebraskaCityMaintenanceShop. with theutilitycompanies.Weekly progressmeetingswere during thefirstwinter, requiredextraeffort andcoordination and contractor. An earlystart,toallowworkontheculverts the utilitycompanies,city-,county-,andstate-maintenance, Several challengeswereovercomewithpartneringefforts with stabilization subgradewasalsoused. heavy vehiclewheelloadsontheshoulder. Hydratedlime shoulder onbothsidestohelppreventdamagefrom outside shoulder. This providesa3'full-depthconcrete project providedthefirst30'concretepavementwitha5' pavement, asphaltshoulders,lighting,andseeding. This The projectconsistedofgrading,culverts,concrete finish workcompletedinJuly2003. road wasopenedtofour-lanetraffic inMay2003,withthe the newlyconstructedlanesduringsecondphase. The on theexistinglanesduringfirstphasethenmovedto opened inDecember2001. Through traffic wasmaintained project beganinOctober2000withthefirsttwolanes south ofNebraskaCitytotheintersectionwithN-128. The This $8millionexpresswayprojectislocatedonUS-75 US-75 ExpresswayNebraskaCitySouth District 1 Population Area District AreaFacts Highway SystemMileage...... 1,575 Number ofBridges...... 703 alodVaut$0 4,803,756 $ $50,513,828 Railroad Viaduct Bridge Roadway T tlLtt otat$55,317,584 otal LettoContract (Square Miles) (2000 Census) 2003 ConstructionCosts ...... 7,467 Major 2003TransportationProjectsandTotalConstructionCosts ...... 392,798 District Activity Cost District AreaFacts Population August 2003. $7.4 million.Itbeganin April 2002andwascompletedin The projectwas3.3mileslongandcostapproximately provided analternaterouteincaseofincidentsonI-80. convenient highwayforthetravelingpublic.Italso completion ofthemainlineprovidedasaferandmore 2002, andtheroadwaywasopenedtotraffic. The early The majorityoftheworkwascompletedbyfall influx ofresidentsandbusinessesalongtheroadway. needed tosafelyhandletheincreasedtraffic duetothe installation ofstreetlighting. The constructionwas connecting sidestreets,majorutilitiesrelocation,andthe I-80. Italsoinvolvedthereconstructionofall four-lane dividedhighwaythroughGretnaandsouthto 80wasreconstructed. The projectincludeda Interstate Highway US-6andN-31betweenN-370 In GretnaandSouth US-6 andN-31Reconstruction District 2 Area Highway SystemMileage...... 504 Number ofBridges...... 425 alodVaut$0 14,744,214 $ $94,721,633 Railroad Viaduct Bridge Roadway T tlLtt otat$109,465,847 otal LettoContract (Square Miles) (2000 Census) 2003 ConstructionCosts ...... 1,791 ...... 653,287 Cost

15 District Activity Cost $37,115,025 ...... 214,738 ...... 9,744 2003 Construction Costs (2000 Census) (Square Miles) otal Let to Contract T RoadwayBridgeRailroad Viaduct $30,426,994 $ 6,688,031 $ 0 Number of Bridges...... 632 Highway System Mileage...... 1,715 Area District 4 N-92 and US-30 New Viaduct Construction of a new viaduct This project consists of the construction Pacific Railroad as for N-92 over US-30 and the Union well as a new N-92 and US-30 intersection. but the contractor The original design used steel girders and the consultant requested a value-engineering that are connected proposal that uses concrete girders This was approved and the by tie rods over the piers. The of 2003. project was completed in the summer project to see if structure was also chosen as a test concrete using the maturity method of establishing on concrete strength would be applicable and beneficial structures. existing viaduct, The work consisted of removal of the paving, grading, culverts, roadway lighting, bituminous walls, and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) construction of the new viaduct. Population District Area Facts Cost $33,863,363 ...... 185,949 ...... 8,786 2003 Construction Costs (2000 Census) (Square Miles) otal Let to Contract T unique aspect of this project was the use of a unique aspect of this project was the RoadwayBridgeRailroad Viaduct $27,500,557 $ 6,362,806 $ 0 Number of Bridges...... 590 Highway System Mileage...... 1,527 Area dredging operation to build the fill for the majority of the dredging operation to build the fill for dredgers At times there were three separate project. were created, running a 24-hour operation. Six lakes A three of which are on state right-of-way. sand/gravel pipes to the fill mix was dredged through a series of 1700' in length. areas with some piping runs approaching In approximately eight months over 2.2 million cubic yards of excavation borrow was moved though this dredging operation. A This project consisted of building two overpasses, one for This project consisted of building two and one for N-15 County Road 9 and Excel Corporation This project involved the purchase and a link to Schuyler. due to the of a considerable amount of right-of-way The to the north. relocation of US-30 to bypass Schuyler stabilized construction consisted of grading, mechanically pavement, and earth (MSE) walls, culverts, concrete bridges. District 3 sees a major improvement with the expressway District 3 sees a major US-30 with the travel from Columbus to Schuyler on Expressway West completion of the Schuyler East and This $19.2 million project is the next to last phase project. 2 and Omaha. on US-30 for District 3 to link with District District 3 Schuyler East and West US-30 Expressway Population District Area Facts District Activity 16 District AreaFacts Highway SystemMileage...... 1,253 Number ofBridges...... 377 Area Population ties inwiththeN-71Expressway. portionoftheprojectalso under aseparatecontract. A were affected bytheprojectwascompletedinearly2003 westbound traffic. Constructionofirrigationstructuresthat lanes, andbuildingoftwonewconcretelanesfor existing US-26,whichwillbecometheneweastbound The projectincludedanasphalticconcreteoverlayof wetland banksforfutureprojects. totaling approximately33acres,willbeconstructedas mitigation siteforthisproject. The othertwosites, sites, approximately20acresinsize,isthewetland use inconstructingthenewwetlands.Oneof soils andvegetationalongtheprojectweresalvagedfor construction. Approximately 15acresofexistinghydric in ordertoreplacethosethatweredestroyedduring These sitesarealsobeingdevelopedintonewwetlands project iscomingfromthreesitesadjacenttotheproject. Much ofthe514,000cubicyardsexcavationfor earthen medianintheruralsection. four laneswithraisedislandsintheurbansectionsand milesofUS-26willbetransformedfromtwolanesto 7.5 scheduled forcompletioninthespringof2004. The Scottsbluff andMinatare,beganinMarchis W US-26 –ScottsblufftoMinatare District 5 alodVaut$0 9,966,133 $ $37,150,441 Railroad Viaduct Bridge Roadway ork onthe$8.5millionprojectUS-26,between T otal LettoContract (Square Miles) (2000 Census) 2003 ConstructionCosts ...... 14,187 ...... 90,410 $47,116,574 Cost District AreaFacts Highway SystemMileage...... 1,314 Number ofBridges...... 351 Area Population of 2003. million. The projectwillbecompletedbytheend $4.4 The projectis1.1mileslongandwillcostapproximately present inthemiddleofSutherland. elimination oftwoat-graderailroadcrossingsthatwere Delays andsafetyaregreatlyimprovedwiththe pedestrians willnolongerbesubjectedtorailtraintraffic. With thecompletionofproject,N-25traffic and according tothe Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA). aesthetically pleasingandcompletelyaccessible structure overtherailroadtracks. The designis of Nebraska.Itsuniquedesignallowsforasinglespan The pedestrianbridgeisthefirstofitskindinState pedestrian bridge. bituminous surfacing,culverts,lighting,guardrail,anda grading of233,000cubicyardsembankment, was constructedovertheUnionPacificRailroadwith viaduct The projectislocatedonN-25inSutherland. A N-25 andUS-30inSutherland District 6 alodVaut$0 5,029,609 $ $31,711,894 Railroad Viaduct Bridge Roadway T otal LettoContract (Square Miles) (2000 Census) 2003 ConstructionCosts ...... 12,803 ...... 84,258 $36,741,503 Cost 17 District Activity Cost $11,471,359 ...... 29,901 ...... 13,286 2003 Construction Costs (2000 Census) (Square Miles) otal Let to Contract T RoadwayBridgeRailroad Viaduct $10,267,751 $1,203,608 $ 0 District 8 North US-281 – O’Neill one block north of the junction of The project began and continued north on US-281 for US-20 and US-281 Phase I for the 2003 construction 13 miles. Planned culvert season included grading, pipe and box temporary roads, extensions, and construction of two for the construction which are required to maintain traffic of two new box culverts. 2003 are to be com- The box culverts being constructed in and opened to traffic pleted and the new roadway surfaced by November 29, 2003. Phase II of the project is scheduled to be completed in This project includes, 100 mm hydrated lime stabi- 2004. surfacing, SP4 asphaltic concrete Type lization, 125mm shoulder construction, striping and seeding. of 8' wide surfaced Safety will improve, with the addition at shoulders and a turning lane to be constructed in O’Neill. Avenue, Hynes approximately The cost to complete this project is $5.3 million. Population Area Number of Bridges...... 135 Highway System Mileage...... 1,041 District Area Facts Cost $12,249,611 ...... 59,742 ...... 9,251 2003 Construction Costs (2000 Census) (Square Miles) otal Let to Contract T wider bridge over the Republican River was built on a wider bridge over the Republican River RoadwayBridgeRailroad Viaduct $9,429,020 $ 2,820,591 $ 0 russes from the existing historic bridge, built in 1932, russes from the existing historic bridge, 18 District Area Facts Area This project provided many safety improvements shoulders, improved including construction of six-foot turf elimination of county road intersections, flatter foreslopes, and a much- one bridge and the widening of another, These improvements also allowed improved grade line. limit to 60for an increase in the posted speed mph. were salvaged and installed on the new bridge. While a were salvaged and installed on the the first substantial amount of grading was completed to areas outside the traveled all work was limited year, a This substantially reduced the amount of time way. detour was necessary. new alignment thus allowing traffic continued use of the new alignment thus allowing traffic season. old bridge throughout the first construction T A Improvements to this 3.4-mile stretch of N-10 began in Improvements to this were completed at a cost of September 2001 and $3.9 is located just south of Franklin The project million. bridges, culverts, and involved the replacement of two and widen the earthwork to improve the grade line shoulders, and a new asphalt surface. District 7 South N-10 – Franklin Population District Activity Number of Bridges...... 288 Highway System Mileage...... 1,030 T ■ ■ is themixtureofcrumbrubberinhot-mixasphalt. making morealternativeusesofthem.Onethese do notendupinlandfills,thetransportationindustryis used tires.Inordertoensurethatthebulkofthesetires Each yeartheUnitedStatesdiscardsabout285million Crumb RubberModifiedAsphalt construction activities. the forefrontinusingnewtechnologymaintenanceand the Department. The Departmentalsocontinuestobein potential transportationresearchprojectstobefundedby FHWA. NTRCannuallymeets,reviews,andprioritizes Nebraska, contractors,consultants,cities,counties,and include representativesfromtheDepartment,Universityof T research activities. This isveryevidentbytheNebraska uigcntuto rdesaswt alsfreetiiy First successful testofmeltingthesnow offthe bridge, slabswith cables forDuring construction-bridge electricity. ransportation ResearchCouncil(NTRC)whosemembers 47,000 recycledtireswereused. The overlayis between GibbonandSheltonwhereapproximately 2002 October 2001 experienced somereflectivecracking. deformation andrutting;however, theoverlayhas results indicatethatitisperformingwellbyresisting the mixture. The projectisbeingevaluatedandthe Approximately 16,400tireswererecycledandusedin on NebraskaHighway2from56thto84thStreet. Rubber Modified Asphalt (CRMA)overlaywasplaced and privatesideofthetransportationindustryintheir he Departmentcontinuestopartnerwiththepublic RAoelywspae nItrtt 80 overlaywasplacedonInterstate Ð CRMA Department ResearchHighlights Ð Three-inch, gap-graded,Crumb ■ successful atkeepingthebridgedeckice-free. bridge wasputtothetestforfirsttimeand prevent icefromformingonthedeck.InMarch2003 temperature duringthewinterseasoninaneffort to concrete. The bridgedeckmaintainsanabove-freezing distributed throughouttheslabbysteelfibersin provides electricitytotheslab.Electricityisthen divided into52slabs,eachcontainingacablewhich kind wasconstructedinRoca,Nebraska. The bridgeis In October2002,thefirstconductiveconcretebridgeofits Conductive Concrete between thevariousapplications. will beperformedinordertomakecostcomparisons strategy performanceexpectations.Life-cyclecostanalysis projectsandconventional comparisons oftheCRMA the projects.Performancewillbeevaluatedbasedon sectionswillbemonitoredthroughoutthelifeof All CRMA a ,2003. May 7, cracking thanontheNebraskaHighway2project. performing wellandhasexperiencedlessreflective Lorton, andBrock. overlaysinDunbar, 67isscheduledforCRMA Highway spray applicationusedforchipseal.In2004, 183projectutilizedCrumbRubberina The Highway asphalt andanestimated24,000tireswererecycled. wasusedtooverlayexisting Highway 14,CRMA 2003 RAwasplacedonHighways14and83.On Ð CRMA

19 Research Highlights 003. key initiative of the Environmental Section of the key initiative of the project on the national project priority list resulted in priority list resulted the national project project on reviews and clearances which expedited environmental to begin in the fall of 2 allowed construction A has been to find ways to improve Department of Roads to develop and review, our methods for environmental and approval agencies that will agreements with review years Two and approval process. accelerate the review with Section signed an agreement ago the Environmental and Parks Commission under which the Nebraska Game in-house reviews of its projects for NDOR will conduct Species impacts. Threatened and Endangered (T&E) review and approval Game and Parks will retain the final legwork to provide the data necessary to but the authority, from Game and support an informed decision was shifted The result has been of biologists. staff Parks to NDOR’s project impacts very positive, allowing NDOR to consider T&E species at the earliest stages of project planning, to thus allowing for negative impact minimization. initiated, Game and When the interagency agreement was project reviews, Parks was several years behind in their Over the last funding and staffing. due to lack of sufficient reviews has been two years the backlog of 194 project on reviews for eliminated and we are now working 2005 and beyond. projects to be let for construction in efficient This agreement has allowed for NDOR’s and presence of scheduling of field surveys for habitat of work and within T&E species, along with other phases be conducted. the window of time when a survey should has received In addition, the Environmental Section T&E species that has resulted training in consultations for bring the issues to negotiations to in more effective closure. An architectural historian has been added to the Highway in timely and accurate in order to assist Archeology staff, submittals for review by the Nebraska State Historical In addition, we have executed Programmatic Society. Agreements between NDOR and the State Historic of historic bridges and in the areas Preservation Office, minor impact construction projects. Both agencies to survey and recently completed a cooperative effort document historic structures and historic highway characteristics for five of the existing historic highways in created as a result The database of information Nebraska. of this project should accelerate project reviews along those highways. be good environmental to In addition to ongoing efforts stewards while constructing our projects, we will continue to seek new partnerships, agreements and methods to Environmental Stewardship Environmental

hat impacts the environment eventually impacts us eventually impacts the environment hat impacts strives to protect and enhance The Department all.

ransportation Infrastructure Project Reviews.” The ransportation Infrastructure Project Reviews.” The Interstate 80 upgrade from four to six lanes between the Platte River crossing and Lincoln, was one of six projects nationally placed on a project priority list by the This was February of 2003. in Transportation Department of Order of Executive done in response to President Bush’s September 18, 2002—“Environmental Stewardship and T Executive Order was intended to help complete the at less cost, environmental review process more quickly, a The project, and without damaging the environment. simple increase in the number of lanes on existing alignment, has been delayed with numerous issues related The placement of the Act. to the Endangered Species Nebraska Project Selected for Environmental Streamlining of the President of the United Congress and the Office streamlining the States has placed an emphasis on environmental review process for transportation projects, in order to see projects move more quickly to Norman Mineta Transportation construction. Secretary of many transportation projects become has stated, “Too mired for too long in the complex web of clearances required by Federal and State law.” This joint committee is composed of university academics, This joint committee is composed of specialists, landscape architects, turf and plant producers and researchers, nursery and grass seed involved with retailers, in addition to other State agencies plants. Dr. Martin Massengale, University of Nebraska at Craig, director of the John Lincoln (UNL) and Mr. as this joint effort Nebraska Department of Roads, foresee state as a whole. beneficial to both agencies and the Grassland Studies Unit, in partnership with the Our Roadside Development is Center for Grassland Studies, University of Nebraska improve vegetation of all types within looking for ways to between Lincoln and Omaha. the I-80 highway corridor to use native grasses The group has discussed new ways highway and reduce to improve the appearance along the They are also looking at ways to optimize maintenance. roadside by utilizing the woody plant materials along the understanding the more native woody plants, as well as, on the state economic impact of an attractive roadway economy.

the environment as we create a safe, reliable, secure, the environment as user-friendly transportation system seamless, intelligent, throughout the state. W Environmental Stewardship 20 speed up environmental reviews of our projects without Western Prairie Fringed Orchid compromising environmental values. This initiative moves NDOR toward the goal of construction of projects in a timely manner, to maximize safety and achieve positive environmental benefits.

Rubberized Asphalt Nebraska Department of Roads received a $361,037 grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality for its work with rubberized asphalt. The grant provides funding for those with innovative approaches to recycle the 3.5 million scrap passenger tires that Nebraskans generate annually. The rubberized asphalt mixture is made in part from finely ground tires. NDOR has worked with the rubberized asphalt for three years, continually refining the mixture to develop the optimal blend for Nebraska’s extreme climate. Nearly 90,000 tires were recycled for the NDOR projects described on page 19.

Alternative Fuel Use As good stewards of the environment our vehicle fleet consists of three compact hybrid gas/electric cars and 206 vehicles that use E-85. E-85 is a federally designated alternative fuel that is composed of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

Kestrel and Bluebird Nesting Boxes Two native Nebraska birds are getting a helping hand from a partnership between NDOR, Bluebirds Across America, the Sierra Club

Photo courtesy of NebraskaLand Magazine/NGPC NebraskaLand of courtesy Photo and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Kestrel and bluebird nesting boxes are being placed Western Prairie Fringed Orchids on poles at Twenty orchid species are native to Nebraska. Among interchanges and these is the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid which is listed rest areas along as threatened by the federal government and by the state I-80. NDOR set of Nebraska. In a joint effort, NDOR is partnering with the ten kestrel poles between Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha where Dr. Margaret From of Gretna and York. Bluebirds the Lab for Rare and Endangered Plants is leading the Across America set the bluebird effort. The two major goals of the research effort are: poles and mounted both the kestrel and bluebird ■ houses along the same section of I-80. To provide NDOR with an alternative to property Volunteers from Bluebirds Across America and purchase when road construction will result in the Sierra Club will monitor the boxes twice a unavoidable impacts to orchid populations. Propagating week until the kestrels have established a nest. The orchids in a laboratory and introducing them into Kestrel and bluebirds will be banded with U.S. Fish and natural habitats may provide NDOR with an additional Wildlife Service bands. option for mitigating project-related impacts to orchid populations. ■ To further the scientific understanding of the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid's life history and its relationship with its environment. The orchid's life cycle and its environmental "prompts" are complex and are currently only partially understood. By gaining and sharing new research results, increasing the national population of the orchid may be possible. 21 Rural Electronic Message Boards The first major ITS project in Nebraska was the installation of nine permanent overhead electronic message boards on Interstate 80 in the Omaha area. During the first six months of operation, the Omaha control of local signs have been activated for traffic events and freeway incidents. Within 30 days of activation, the Nebraska Department of Roads, in cooperation with the Nebraska State Patrol, used the The USDOT Alert. Amber first signs for Nebraska’s has Amber only recently allowed the usage of the signs for Alert messages. Additional overhead electronic message boards will be installed across the Nebraska Interstate 80 corridor in 2004. With few exceptions, the signs are to augment management by informing traffic safe and efficient tatewide management includes much of the same ITS much of the same includes tatewide management ravelers do not want or need surprises and Nebraska’s ravelers do not want or need surprises ■ Statewide Intelligent Transportation System Intelligent Transportation Statewide S communication, and information field equipment, associated District Operation Centers. However, processing as do the required changes when managing the level of information incidents, providing information major regional or statewide standardized and offering to long distance travelers, by the media and other information for distribution Roadside ITS instruments will information providers. the the District Operations Centers, with communicate with of Center being the most sophisticated District 2 Operations of centers because it will serve 100 miles the eight regional The Omaha Center will also have the ability to freeways. centers. provide operational support to the other Info Structure Intelligent Transportation Systems info structure is The Nebraska Intelligent transportation planning process. starting to take shape after a lengthy eight District The info structure in each of Nebraska’s real-time data Operations Centers will generate reliable, state highway system. In on the status of Nebraska’s NDOR will need terms of data collection and operations, Nebraska. to provide data on conditions throughout T Systems will become part of the Transportation Intelligent holds, it will be fulfill the promise technology To solution. relationships; define necessary to institute new institutional operations traffic shared management responsibility for current incident and incident management; and redesign management processes and programs. will see several important developments in Nebraskan’s Systems Transportation the deployment of Intelligent which will include: statewide during the upcoming year, Systems Operation-Technology Systems NDOR employee working at the District 1 Operation Center. working NDOR employee ransportation Systems will include all devices traditionally ransportation Systems will include all raffic and roadway monitoring will be the backbone of will be the and roadway monitoring raffic 22 used for transportation management including closed circuit video, vehicle detectors, electronic message boards, and weather and pavement monitoring systems. Each of Nebraska’s eight engineering districts will support Each of Nebraska’s Center that system operations from a District Operations at the local and will manage state highway systems field equipment regional level. Regional systems include processing the and associated communications for measurement of information required for comprehensive conditions for management of roadway and traffic also provide localized incidents. Regional systems The local Intelligent information to local travelers. T District Level Intelligent Transportation Systems District Level Intelligent Transportation Nebraska will see several Intelligent Transportation Nebraska will see several Intelligent completion during System projects take shape or reach of eight including the development the upcoming year, deployment of several District Operations Centers and the Roadside forms of ITS technologies across Nebraska. cameras, bridge anti-icing installations include traffic boards, and traffic systems, overhead electronic message These roadside installations will communicate to sensors. their respective District Operations Centers. T The System. Transportation Intelligent Nebraska’s of Roads’Nebraska Department is to ensure the objective people movement of and efficient continued safe, secure, public There is tremendous the state. and goods across system that provides near real- benefit in a transportation conditions, and pavement flow, traffic time information on operators and users. Better weather to both system to the users translates to better information provided decision making. Systems Systems in Nebraska Transportation Intelligent Operation-Technology focused messagesareallowable. drivers. Operations,roadconditionanddriversafety motorists ofroadwayconditionsrequiringactionby phone orweb,willreceive the sameinformation. information thatmaybeavailable. All users,eitherby segments toviewatextversion ofanydetailedobserved specific area,theusershould clickonthecoloredroad color onthemapofNebraska. After zoominginon will findthenewidentifiersdefaulttoapreselected Those whouse511 ontheWeb (www.safetravelusa.com) landmarks andcitynamesforgreaterclarity. by phonewillnowheardescriptionsthatinclude capabilities withinthenextyear. Travelers whouse511 develop anddeployvoiceactivatedmenuselection menu items.NDORisworkingwithits511 providerto telephones thenusethetelephonekeypadtoselect system. Travelers cancalloneither cellular orlandline across theentire10,000-mileNebraskastatehighway regarding roadweatherconditionin60-milesegments that time,travelershavebeenabletogaininformation number wasdeployedduringthewinterof2002.Since 511 TravelerInformation basis whentheNebraska segments onastatewide weather informationin advanced roadand state tooffer travelers Nebraska wasthefirst and AmberAlert Voice Activated511 ContinuousImprovements Sees Nebraska 511TravelerInformation ■ environments. sights willbelocatedinbothurbanandrural fall of2003andwillextendintoearly2004.Cameratest The testingphaseofcameradeploymentbeganinthe ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ including: derived fromthedeploymentofvideoimagery, via theInternet.Severalbenefitsareexpectedtobe have accesstovideoimageryfromacrossNebraska system aswidelypossible. The generalpublicwill the dataandvideoimageryfromstatehighway across Nebraskawiththeintentionofdisseminating More than90videocameraswillsoonbedeployed Statewide CameraIntegrationProject information servicesbyothers. Facilitating theprovisionofadditionaltraveler Facilitating routechoices Informing thepublic Crash reduction

Jan Photo courtesy of the Omaha World-Herald Omaha the of courtesy Photo Program. the AmberAlert concerning Nebraska StatePatrolhaveaddressedthoseissues community. The NebraskaDepartmentofRoadsandthe the publicsafetycommunityandtransportation lack ofcommunicationssystemsandprotocolsbetween broad implicationsbeyond Amber Alert nationallyarethe more desirablemode. Among thekeyissuesthathold abduction, othersourcesoftravelerinformationarea extensive informationtotravelers,suchasachild information. Whenthereisaneedtoconveymore situation, theboardscanonlyconveyalimitedamountof attention ofmotoristsandalertthemtothecurrent boards. Whilethisisafastandeffective waytogainthe use ofitspermanent,overheadelectronicmessage Nebraska’s Amber Alert Programplanbyallowingthe information. NDORcurrentlycooperateswiththe number in2005withtheintroductionof Amber Alert menu itemtothestatewide511 Traveler Information The NebraskaDepartmentofRoadswilladdanew 511 AmberAlertUpgrade 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 0 Feb 511 PhoneContactsMadein2003 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 23 Systems Operation-Technology ransportation Attribute ransportation Resource Nebraska Enterprise Centerline Enterprise Nebraska T uses a global (NECTAR) system (GPS) to positioning from traffic interlink everything and construction data counts to onto an maintenance history This allows interactive map. oop area. The newest addition to Motorist Assist newest addition to Motorist The oop area. NDOR employees easy access to highway data that can easy access to highway data that NDOR employees tool. be utilized as a decision-support The Area Omaha Metro Assist Patrol celebrated five Motorist than years of public service in 2003. More the Omaha 35,000 “assists” have been logged in Assist Motorist The Lincoln metro area since 1998. program was initiate in 2000 and serves Interstate 80 Assist will from the Platte River to Lincoln. Motorist expand in 2004 to serve Interstate 80 travelers from Assist is operated and Grand Island to Lincoln. Motorist The Nebraska managed by the Nebraska State Patrol. Department of Roads, the Nebraska Department of and numerous sponsors provide Motor Vehicles Assist governance and financial support to the Motorist of Nebraska’s The most unique aspect Program. by Assist Program is that it is fully staffed Motorist volunteers who must complete rigorous screening and training to participate. Program sponsors, including the Nebraska Department of Roads, provide about half of the annual program costs, with the remainder coming Assist vans Motorist The from private sector sponsors. sport the logos of program sponsors. NECTAR Patrol to Expand Motorist Assist Assist Patrol will see growth in The Nebraska Motorist Assist Program of a Motorist 2004 with the addition Island Grand Nebraska State Patrol’s operating from the Tr from the follows the successful program operation Omaha and Lincoln state patrol areas. 2003 (Jan.-Sept.) 3,062 2002 2,846 2001 2,431 verage Daily Website Visits verage Daily Website A www.nebraskatransportation.org 2000 1,817 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 Traveler Information Portal Information Intelligent Transportation Systems is about getting more Systems is about Transportation Intelligent information, more clearly to the right people in the right the right people in more clearly to information, places at the right times. The Traveler Information Portal Information Traveler The the right times. places at (TIP) will help us meet that objective. TIP objective. help us meet that (TIP) will is Nebraska’s new highway condition reporting system and it will deliver system and it condition reporting new highway a more accurate snapshot of the Nebraska highway a more accurate snapshot system 24 7 a day, hours days a week. The TIPThe the 2004 winter website will be available during driving season and can be accessed through the NDOR driving season and internet portal. Ainternet portal. and dynamic color-coded map with icons text will provide users with details on a variety of highway text will provide users conditions, including construction zones, lane closures and conditions, including conditions and planned events that affect highway events that affect conditions and planned capacity. Nearly 180 NDOR staff will be involved in Nearly 180 NDOR staff capacity. providing detailed information to TIP. That information will TIP. to providing detailed information be shared with a variety of users in various formats for a be shared with a variety of users in various wide variety of applications, including media outlets, wide variety of applications, including travelers, trucking firms, transportation planners, travelers, trucking firms, transportation emergency responders, as well as, providing information emergency responders, as well as, providing for the 511 system. Getting more highway condition system. for the 511 information, more clearly, to the right people in the right information, more clearly, places at the right times is becoming a reality in Nebraska. places at the right times is becoming Website Features The Department’s steadily growing transportation portal, The Department’s which can be accessed from www.dor.state.ne.us or which can be accessed from www.dor.state.ne.us www.nebraskatransportation.org, is designed to offer a is designed to offer www.nebraskatransportation.org, wide variety of travel and business information to users. wide variety of travel and business information On-line enhancements include technical manuals for our On-line enhancements include technical contractors, the Driver's Accident Report, the new State contractors, the Driver's map, a web version of the 511 Traveler Information Traveler map, a web version of the 511 System, and automated truck permit system. Additionally, system. System, and automated truck permit the site has proven its worth as a first resource for the site has proven its worth as a first updates in the event of emergency road closures of long updates in the event of emergency road duration, such as the Big Springs bridge collapse. duration, such as the Big Springs bridge Systems Operations-Technology 24 points forNebraska. These controlpointsrepresent the a High Accuracy ReferenceNetwork(HARN)of214control Geodetic Survey(NGS)usedGPSequipmentandcompleted In 1995,NDORpersonnel,withtheassistanceofNational within acentimeter. this newtechnology, positionscannowbemeasured to is measuredusingextremelyaccurateatomicclocks.With the distanceusingtraveltimeofradiosignals. The traveltime stars” asreferencepointsforlocationsonearth,measuring satellites andtheirgroundstations.Itusesthese“man-made navigation systemformedfroma“constellation”of24 Positioning System(GPS).GPSisaworldwidesatellite surveying. SurveyorsareincreasinglyusingtheGlobal New technologyischangingthenatureofworkNDOR and bridgespriortodesignconstruction. the latesttechnologythatNDORusestosurveyroads measures haveincommon? These areallwaysortoolsof technology, digitallevelingusingbarcodes,andlaser distance (Reg) technology, pointcloudsusingLIDARsensing What doatomicclocks,satelliteconstellations,Bluetooth New Technology–SurveyingEquipment GPS surveying equipment. createdusingtheLIDARThree-dimensional modelofabridge system. egh 18.154 Length: SBH02 18.154 egh 6.938 Length: SBH01 instruments are stillfairlynew, but arequickandaccurate. later transfer to aprojectfileoncomputer. These the instrument. The readingcanbeelectronicallyrecordedfor 1 mm. The systemalsogivesthedistancetorodfrom electronics interpretsasa reading, accuratetolessthan leveling rod,thereisabarcode patternwhichthelevel’s reads thelevelingrod.Insteadofusualpatternon the level With thedigitallevelsystem,automaticsurveyor’s software. 3-D pointcloudcanbeeasilyimportedintoNDOR’s modeling model oftheobject(s)beingsurveyed. The highlyaccurate of pointsiscreatedrepresentingathree-dimensional (3-D) As LIDARcaptures30,000datapointspersecond,a cloud pulse ofinfraredlightanditsreturnfromasurfacereflection. surveyed bymeasuringthetimedelaybetweenanemitted the sensortoapointonsurfaceofobjectbe technology. The LIDARsystemdeterminesthedistancefrom lateral clearanceusingLightDetectionandRanging(LIDAR) overhead structuresonNebraska’s highwaysforverticaland The Departmentrecentlycompletedasurveyofallthe that iscablefree. advantage ofthistechnologyistheabilitytooperatearover antenna andthereceiver. FortheRTK GRSsurveyors,the wireless radiotechnology, tocommunicatebetweenthe needed points. This roverusesBluetooth(Reg),shortrange rover, isthenusedtodetermineandstorethelocationsof secondreceiver, calleda a controlpointofknownlocation. A T A present willmatchthesatellitesurveysoffuture. entire statesothatthegroundsurveysofpastand made enhancements.NDORisworkingtotietogetherthe 2000, NDORandNGSpersonnelreviewedthisnetwork highest levelofspatialaccuracyavailableinthestate.In egh 7.938 Length: m ieai RK uvyn.AGPSreceiver issetover ime Kinematic(RTK) surveying. A further useofGPSbyNDORpersonnel,involvesReal NBH01 17.395 egh 17.395 Length: NBH02

25 Systems Operation-Technology

wo thousand and four marks the wo thousand and T and Clarks bicentennial of Lewis West. American expedition to the with the NDOR in partnership has placed National Parks Service 51 US-75 signs along US-73 and Southfrom Falls City to City, Sioux South Sioux US-20 and N-12 from US-281 north and City to Spencer, addition NDOR to South Dakota. In recommendations. is serving as an advisory member on the Nebraska Lewis is serving as an advisory member on and Clark Bicentennial Commission. NDOR Employee Reward and Recognition Congress The NDOR Employee Rewards and Recognition Congress was convened with representatives from all NDOR divisions was to find ways to The goal of the Congress and districts. improve the Rewards and Recognition Program. Brainstorming groups were formed for the four areas: ceremonies; promoting the rewards and recognition program; nomination/selection process; and rewards/awards. recommendations were the four group’s On the final day, presented and votes were taken. Following the Congress, NDOR Human Resources evaluated and implemented some of the 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Celebration and Clark Bicentennial 2004 Lewis Adopt-a-Highway have adopted There are currently 1,340 groups that 2,713These of highway right-of-way as their own. miles and debris along volunteer groups faithfully pick up litter NDOR thus saving the roadsides twice a year, approximately $700,000. Adopt-a- NDOR became part of the widely acclaimed participate, adopting To Highway Litter program in 1990. sides of a two-mile groups agree to pickup litter on both As two times a year for two years. section of highway, the NDOR launches Adopt-a-Highway program, part of the each spring to give groups Trash-Off the Great Nebraska litter pickup of the an opportunity to complete their first is a statewide event, and this year’s Trash-Off The year. groups, Adopt-a-Highway participants included 428 cleaning litter representing an estimated 5,552 volunteers This program has along 1,800 miles of right-of-way. proven to be a worthwhile opportunity for private citizens contribution in and civic groups to make an effective while saving natural resources preserving Nebraska’s taxpayer dollars. Working Together Working portion of the grant is being used to renovate the grain portion of the grant estern Trails Byway, which leads to Lake McConaughy, Byway, Trails estern n this era of tightening budgets it has become even more it has become of tightening budgets n this era with In partnering we participate in partnerships. vital that ransportation Enhancement and Scenic Byway funds to the ransportation Enhancement and Scenic 26 others we are better able to serve the traveling public by able to serve the traveling public others we are better and talents. combining our resources Mormon Trail Markers Markers have been placed along the Nebraska areas and at rest Trail portion of the Mormon markers were Trail The Mormon pullouts. of the made possible by the combined efforts Nebraska Department of Roads, the Association, the State Trail Nebraska Mormon the National Parks Service, Historical Society, and the Department of Economic Development. Ash Hollow State Historical Park, Chimney Rock, and Scotts Center The Spruce Street Visitor National Monument. Bluff August. was opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony in City of Ogallala to renovate a historic Standard Oil Company City of Ogallala to renovate a historic and The funds were used to rehabilitate Service Station. and convert them into preserve the two existing buildings public Main Street Office, Center, the Spruce Street Visitor ADAmeeting room and accessible public restroom facility. Ogallala is near many historical trails and byways including and Pony Lincoln Highway, Trail, Mormon Trail, the Oregon Center is also near the The Spruce Street Visitor Express. W Ogallala Spruce Street Visitors Center Ogallala Spruce Street Visitors awarded $132,905 of The Nebraska Department of Roads T Nebraska currently has nine highway routes designated as Nebraska currently has nine highway director designates the byways Nebraska byways. NDOR’s and then obtains the Governor’s concurrence. Byways are have been identified non-interstate highway corridors that the state that as significant alternate routes throughout cultural, or highlight diverse scenic, historical, recreational, The Nebraska Scenic Byways archaeological features. of the program, Committee, which provides oversight Nebraska Department consists of representatives from the Nebraska Game Tourism; and Travel of Roads, Division of Historical Society; and Parks Commission; Nebraska State and Nebraska Natural Resources Commission. silo at Cairo into a Sandhills journey byways wayside silo at Cairo into a is The additional funding center. facility and interpretation the byways. being used to market The Department received a $715,600 Scenic Byways The Department received Administration. the Federal Highway Program grant from A Scenic Byways Grant Scenic Byways WorkingI Together Photo courtesy of Ogallala Main Street Main Ogallala of courtesy Photo with Kearney, Columbus,andBlair. funds from15to25.NDORcurrentlyhasagreements number ofcommunitiesthatareeligibletoapplyforthese populations between5,000and50,000. This increasedthe expanded thisyeartoalsoincludecommunitieswith populations between7,500and50,000. The programwas Originally thesefundswereavailableforcommunitieswith and isnowevaluatingthefindings. community’s needs.GrandIslandhascompleteditsplans planning ofthestateroadsystemtoalignwith plans andhelpstheDepartmentcoordinatefuture This activityaidsthecommunitywithformulatinglong-term a community, normallyfora15-to20-yeartimeframe. areas anddevelopafuturetraffic assignmentmodelwithin transportation plan. These planshelpprojectfuturegrowth that community’s comprehensiveplanandlong-range maximum of$75,000,toaidincreatingand/orupdating smaller communitiesfinancialassistance,uptoa The ComprehensivePlan Assistance Programoffers The ComprehensivePlanAssistanceProgram Governments Local Partnering Effortswith comparable workexperience. experience asahighwayorstreetsuperintendent licenseuponshowing could applyforaClass A 500.Current holdersofClassBlicenses created byLB implementing thenewsecond-levellicensing,Class A, workshop. NDORisassistingtheBoardofExaminersin Class Blicensingexamthatisgivenamonthafterthe training helpstopreparethesuperintendentsfor the CountyHighwayandCityStreetSuperintendents. The Biannually, NDORholdsathree-daytrainingworkshop for City StreetSuperintendentsLicense Advanced CountyHighway

marvel backmarvel inthe1920s. The SpruceStreetStandard OilStation wasamodern Photo courtesy of Ogallala Main Street Main Ogallala of courtesy Photo additional benefitstotravelerswithinawideregion. Heartland. Those collaborativerelationships willleadto Snow Conference,theHighPlainsCoalition,andITS in avarietyofmulti-stateforums,includingtheFive-State and informationsharingpracticeswithneighboringstates Nebraska isdevelopingstandardoperatingprocedures system thiswillaffect theentireinterstatesystem. other states.Forexample,ifabridgeisoutontheI-80 impact acrossjurisdictionalboundaries,includingeventsin insufficient capacity, unrestraineddemand,andeventsthat one result.Causesofrecurringcongestioninclude benefits ofinformationsharing.Multi-statecooperationis driving organizationalimprovementscreatedbythe The NebraskaIntelligent Transportation System(ITS)is atmosphere ofengagement. groundwork forfuturesolutionswhilealsofosteringan meeting orconferenceofinterestedstakeholderslaysthe summit, venders, anduniversitystaff toshareideas. A federal agencies,electedrepresentatives,consultants, brought togetherprofessionalsfromlocal,state,and Symposium, andHighwaySafetySummit. These events Heartland Summit, Transit Summit,NebraskaGIS NDOR hostedtheIntelligent Transportation Systems(ITS) transportation-related issuesthataffect Nebraska.In2003, together todiscusscriticallocalandnational NDOR hasexperiencedsuccessindrawingparties Through theuseofsummits,meetings,andsymposiums, Collaborative Relationships disaster area. administered whenthePresidentdeclaresafederal roads andbridges.Emergencyrelieffundsarealso funding tolocalmunicipalitiesimprovequalifiedcounty local municipalities. These programsprovidematching NDOR administersvariousfederal-aidprogramstothe andMunicipalities Counties Federal-Aid Programsfor now asthe Ogallala SpruceStreet serves Visitor Center. The stationhasbeenrestored toitsoriginaldesignand

27 Working Together roopTroop North Platte and D, Troop E, Scottsbluff. E The interstate was not damaged, since the bridge landed since the bridge was not damaged, The interstate maintenance forces hauled twenty on the median. NDOR 200 cubic yards) of sand to truckloads (approximately mainline pavement. protect the interstate Department of Roads workers More than 57 Nebraska and 6 were involved in both cleanup from Districts 5 and message Districts 1 and 2 provided control efforts. traffic Capital Contractors Inc., of boards and web postings. was the prime contractor for the Lincoln, Nebraska, of the structure. Several demolition and removal of Ogallala, which subcontractors assisted, including MGM the destroyed semis was responsible for the removal of and car. troopers from The Nebraska State Patrol dispatched T The and security. handled the investigation, detour route The Department also assisted. Deuel County Sheriff’s the rail crossing on Union Pacific Roadmaster managed and traffic the detour route and assisted with flagging Transportation The Colorado Department of control. control for the detour route through managed the traffic traffic. Julesburg, Colorado, for the I-76 detour on I-76 was directed around the closure Eastbound traffic through Big on Highway 138 from Julesburg, Colorado exited at Big Springs traffic Springs, Nebraska. Westbound Chappell, Nebraska. and was directed on Highway 30 to I-80 Big Springs Bridge Springs Big I-80 Before the damage on the I-80 overpass near Big Springs could be cleared, the damage on the I-80 overpass Before the and protect in to cover sand was brought the collapse. below interstate n Friday, May 23, disaster struck I-80 in western May 23, disaster n Friday, A time within a year. Nebraska for the second 28 In addition to the semi that slammed into the bridge, three In addition to the semi that slammed one when the other eastbound semis were damaged, The other two trapping it. bridge collapsed on the trailer, partially collapsed were damaged when they struck the Abridge. car was also trapped under the wreckage. Within 48 hours of the crash, all four lanes of I-80 were Within 48 hours of the crash, all four and easing concerns reopened, surpassing most estimates Six miles of I-80 traffic. about problems with Memorial Day while crews were closed on both sides of the bridge 650-700worked around the clock to remove tons of debris from the crash site. For the second time in a year, Nebraska Department of Nebraska in a year, For the second time law Roads employees, contractors, subcontractors, emergency responders, and many enforcement officials, forces during a busy other transportation partners joined cleanup and traffic holiday weekend to complete needed restoration in record time. westbound semi-trailer truck, loaded with food cargo, westbound semi-trailer center support of a country road slammed into the about three miles west of Big Springs, overpass head-on causing the bridge to collapse onto killing the driver and the compound To busiest highways. one of the nation’s occurred during the busy Memorial situation, the accident Day weekend. I-80O Big Springs Bridge erBgSrns Nebraska. near BigSprings, Wreckage oftrucks aftersemi-trailertruck centerpier slamsintobridge collapsed overpass. histruck cabwasnotdirectly underthe forFortunately thisdriver, restore trafficduring thebusy Memorial Day weekend. and ascrews to clear hurry I-80ofdebris, Massive cleanup begins, o thecountyroad 2003, On November 4, To help covercosts. $350,000. Federalmatchingfundswill constructed atacostofapproximately about threemilestotheeast,was to theI-80interchangeatBigSprings, carried localtraffic fromthecountyroad temporaryroad,which the contractor. A Reiman Corp.ofCheyenne,Wyoming, is bridge isapproximately$727,000and demolished bridge.Costtobuildthenew 28-feet wide,6-feetwiderthanthe shoulder piers. The newbridgewillbe a newtwo-spanbridgeeliminatingthe was ingoodcondition.Plansaretobuild said theinterstatebridge,builtin1969, Les O’Donnell,NDORDistrict6Engineer, contractors andstatecrews. $263,000, includingamountsforboth Cleanup costsaftertheaccidenttotaled nothing shortofmiraculous.” removed inthatshortofatimeperiodis much debriswascleanedupand occurred outthere. To thinkthat a majoramountofdestructionthat accomplishment.” Headded,“Therewas the non-stopcleanupan“incredible Nebraska GovernorMikeJohannscalled May 26. directions openat11:00 p.m.Monday, 25,andhadallfourlanesinboth May westbound lanebymidmorningSunday, morning. Butworkersopeneda reopened bythefollowingMonday optimistic plansweretohaveI-80 p.m. onFriday, May23,themost When theinterstatewasclosedat9:30 hits fortheentireNDORsite. May 24-31—almost4percent ofthetotal visitsfrom page received2,902 from May24-25,andtheBigSprings unusually highnumberofvisits(11,500) the I-80cleanup. The websitereceivedan provided continuousupdatesthroughout www.nebraskatransportation.org. It 24ontheNDORwebsite, May page waspostedearlySaturdaymorning, updated ontherepairs,aBigSpringsweb verpass wasopened for traffic.

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$ $ $ receipts to be deposited in the Highway Trust Fund Trust in the Highway receipts to be deposited ax Eliminated the State Tax Board. Tax Eliminated the State T rather than the General Fund. rather than the General Changed the setting of the Variable Fuel Tax to two times Tax Fuel Changed the setting of the Variable from four times a year. a year, Placed the rate setting authority with the Director of the Tax Department of Roads, who certifies to the State be so that what the variable tax should Commissioner, the Department of Roads can meet its annual Highway Cash Fund appropriation. Required one- and five-year planning programs for planning programs one- and five-year Required streets. highways, roads and Highway Commission. issued to complete the Interstate System. issued to complete Assigned authority to issue highway bonds to the State Authorized $20 million in highway bonds, that were Authorized $20 million first time, the Authorized, for the ax that went into effect October 1, 1980. ax that went into effect

As a result of the oil embargo of 1974, fluctuations in the As a result of the oil fuel consumption and people began price of fuel reduced gas vehicles. Nebraska’s fuel-efficient more buying smaller, very unstable. In 1980 the tax revenues became again leading the way, Legislature, with Senator Warner Motor Fuel Variable passed legislation that established the T The purpose of the In response to two pieces of legislation, passed during the 1988 Legislative Session, the Department of Roads The first published its first annual Highway Needs Study. piece of legislation required the department to: (1) establish criteria for determining highway needs, (2) establish and report minimum design standards, and (3) perform an assessment of what the State Highway System needs actually were. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

stability in funding so there wouldn’t be large swings up and stability in funding so there wouldn’t be highway construction down in revenues to fund Nebraska’s one hundred The Department of Roads receives program. Tax. Motor Fuel percent of the revenues from the Variable Assessment was The State Board of Equalization and $ tax rate setting established in 1980, as the variable fuel Secretary The Board was comprised of the Governor, body. and State Treasurer, State Commissioner, Tax of State, The Board set the variable fuel tax rate once a Auditor. However, prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. year, regularly on a the variable tax could be and was adjusted quarterly bases. that the As the years passed, the legislature recognized Board) Tax Assessment (State Board of Equalization and a perfunctory tax had become a political forum, rather than in 1999, Senator Consequently, rate setting body. Doug Kristensen crafted legislation that:

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History of Nebraska Highway Funding Highway Nebraska of History $ $ $ $ $ Increased highway user revenues and the distribution formula that allocated funds to the State, cities and counties. Required functional classification of highways, roads and streets. rust Fund, and established funding for the National rust Fund, and established funding for ■ ■ System of Interstate and Defense Highways. President System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the act into law and the The Interstate System has since been named after him. Interstate System was modeled after the “autobahn” system project was let to first Interstate Nebraska’s in Germany. contract in June 1957. Nebraska claims to have been the first state to complete its mainline Interstate in October 1974, at a total cost of about $400 million. In 1965, the Nebraska Legislature authorized a sweeping highways, roads and study of the needs of Nebraska’s in 1967 consultants performed studies streets. Subsequently, that included engineering needs, financing and management. In 1969, the Nebraska Legislature, led by Senator that addressed the needs passed legislation Jerome Warner, That legislation identified in the 1967 consultant studies. involved the following areas: Our surface transportation system is the lifeblood of is the lifeblood transportation system Our surface a The transportation system plays nation. Nebraska and our High- of our lives and our economy. vital role in the quality well-being, to our mobility, ways are critical components employment, national productivity, movement of goods, an In effect, the very health of our economy. and security, system is one of the key elements transportation efficient to function. that allow any society state roads in Nebraska began with Principal funding of Act of 1916 and establish- Aid Road passage of the Federal The Nebraska Highway Program. ment of the Federal-Aid $640,000 to provide a 50 percent Legislature appropriated At that federal funds. match to a three-year appropriation of property taxes rather time, state-matching funds came from than highway user fees. The first Nebraska gas tax of 2 cents per gallon was imposed this tax were for the The revenues generated from in 1925. source of funding State roads and served as the primary State highways. From 2a gallon in 1925, the gas tax cents has increased to the current tax of 24.6 cents per gallon. in 1913 at $2.00 per Motor vehicle registration fees began down for several passenger vehicle and fluctuated up and vehicles was set at years. In 1969 the fee on passenger to this day. $15.00, and there is where it has stayed depending on the Registration fees on heavy trucks vary majority of the The load carrying capacity of the truck. until 1926, when the registration fees went to the counties State began to receive a larger share. Act, Highway The 1956 Congress passed the Federal-Aid Federal Highway which was historic in that it created the T 30 Highway Funding $ ■ ■ ■ billion: the followingatanestimatedcostof$3.8 developed a20-yearlong-rangehighwayplantoaccomplish legislation,thedepartment As aresultofthesecondpiece not existtoday tomeetcurrentneeds.Consequently, any are projectedtocontinue increase. Sufficient revenuesdo billion. Also shownonthechart,traffic volumes short by$1.3 revenues necessarytoaccomplish theseneedswouldfall state highwaysystemneeds couldnotbeachievedasthe Based ontheprecedingassumptions, currentlyidentified billion. approximately $8.9 federal revenues,totalfundsavailablewouldaccumulate to same time,consideringconservativeincreasesinstateand billion. At the years,wouldcostanestimated$10.2 next 20 percentperyearoverthe needs, withaninflationfactorof3 billion. Those projected identified currentneedsat$7.6 The “2003StateHighwaySystemNeeds Assessment” report Fifteen yearslater, manynewneedshavebeenidentified. insufficient revenues. Expressway Systemhasfallenbehindscheduledueto have beencompleted.However, completionofthe600-mile Many identifiedneeds,fromtheoriginal“1988NeedsStudy” Miles Traveled Miles eiinisi 0years. deficiencies in20 Eliminate nearly5,000milesofgeometrichighway years. in 15 Complete orlettocontracta600-mileExpresswaySystem 10 years. Complete therehabilitationofInterstateinOmaha Fiscal Year

eeus$345 Revenues Program & Revenues in Millions In Billions Vehicles Needs $600 $700 $100 $200 $300 $400 $- $500 0420 0620 0820 0021 0221 0421 0621 0821 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 30$9 $403 $391 $380 17.9 $355 18.3

$365 18.7 Needs Vehicles Re

v enues $375 $415 19.1

Miles Traveled 36$9 46$416 $406 $397 $386 $427 951. 042. 21.4 20.9 20.4 19.9 19.5 STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEMNEEDSvs. REVENUES 40$5 $467 $453 $440

$426 $481 47$448 $437 $495 21.9

50$525 $510 242. 342. 4425.0 24.4 23.9 23.4 22.9 22.4 Reserve Fund. Reserve improved. needs aretobemetandthe systempreservedand the fundinglevelsmustoccur ifNebraska’s transportation wants. Preservationofthefunding mechanismandgrowthin identified $7.6billionofneeds andnearly$900millionof be reliablyfunded. The most recent“needs”assessment important thatNebraska’s transportationsystemcontinue to mechanism forsurfacetransportationmanyyears.It is Nebraska hashadaverystable,reliable,andsteadyfunding there weresomereductionsandtransfersoffunds. for fiscalyears2004and2005wererelativelypreserved, but appropriations of theLegislature. The DepartmentofRoads’ those billsweredefeatedeitherincommittee,oronthe floor T funds fromeithertheHighwayCashFundor introduced severalpiecesoflegislationtodiverthighway precedent forthe2003legislativesession.In2003,Senators The actiontakenbytheLegislaturein2002establisheda appropriation wasreducedbyalikeamount. transferred fundswas$7.7million,andouragency shareofthe motor vehicles. The DepartmentofRoads’ $14.4 milliongeneratedfromthesalesofnewandused increase intheStatesalestaxandequivalencyof $14.4 millionfromthe In fiscalyear2003,theLegislatureauthorizedtransferof of unfundedandunmetneeds. diversion ofhighwayfundsevenfurthercompoundstheissue $459 rust FundtotheGeneralFund.However, themajorityof 41$8 45$507 $495 $483 $471 51$5 54$9 69$627 $609 $591 $574 $557 $541 This actionresultedfromaone-halfcent

Highway Trust Fund Highway Trust

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6827.4 26.8 65$1 $665 2023 to the 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

0,197

TAL cle Miles Travel in Billions in Travel Miles cle hi Cash Ve 31 Highway Funding 62% State 33% Federal 5% Department of Roads Revenues Local 0.1% Fund Less than percent of the total Department revenue. Local percent of the total wo-thirds of this is for system preservation of the State General Only 5 percent is spent on supportive services, i.e. administrative salaries, heavy road equipment, supply engineering and furniture, inventories, computers, office technical equipment, and so forth. Expenditures for administrative costs is one of the lowest in the nation. Approximately 79 percent of the Department’s expenditures are for surface transportation construction. T existing $6.5 billion infrastructure investment and one-third is for new construction. Approximately 15 percent is spent on maintenance activities that include: mowing, snow removal, ditch cleaning, litter pickup, sign and signal repairs, striping, guard rail repairs, and pothole patching. Local Funds from local governments represents Revenue received 5 and counties revenues are funds contributed by cities This local for their share of construction projects. highway system revenue is matching funds to municipal Department of projects that are administered by the Roads. collected and deposited in the Federal Highway Trust the Federal Highway and deposited in collected then returned to the state by the Fund (FHTF) and by means of Administration Federal Highway a The federal highway program is reimbursements. These and not a grant program. reimbursable process eligible projects in all areas of the funds are used on state. ■ Department of Roads Expenditures to move in FY-2003 The Department spent $569 million people and goods across and throughout the state by transportation surface means of a safe and efficient system. ■ ■ ■ highways and bridges, land, highways and bridges, cash and receivables Financial Status and Sources and Status Financial rust Fund, distributed to the Highway Cash Fund, and Revenue received from the federal government, 33of funding. percent, is the second largest source Federal revenue is the return of fuel and excise taxes These taxes are that are levied at the national level. Federal Funds used specifically for surface transportation purposes. Changes in the level of state revenue from year to year normally represent the results of increased or decreased consumption of motor fuel and purchases of motor vehicles The Department also receives less than 0.1% of revenue from the state general fund appropriations. This revenue is used exclusively for the support of transit and rail activities in Nebraska. State Funds the largest Highway-user fees and taxes generate 62 percent. portion of state revenue, approximately sales tax These fees and taxes are: fuel taxes, used motor collected on purchases of new and This is the fees. vehicles, and motor vehicle registration The most stable funding source for the Department. fees and taxes are deposited into the State Highway T Current assets: Long-term assets: buildings, equipment, and inventory buildings, equipment, 32 ■ ■ Department of Roads Revenues Surface Transportation Financing Surface Transportation revenues from fees The Department of Roads receives the transportation and taxes assessed to the users of The three primary revenue funding sources and system. percent, federal their percent of the total are: state 62 33 and local 5 percent. Less than 0.1% comes percent, The revenues are initially from the state general fund. trust funds and deposited in the state and federal highway established by distributed to the state through formulas the Department state and federal laws. In FY-2003, received $555 surface million to fund the state’s transportation needs. ■ ■ Financial of Roads Department Value of Nebraska Net Asset is its net asset value As with any corporation/organization in employees and the owners, which very important to the Our residents of the State of Nebraska. our case, are the $6.9 billion and include: net assets approximate Status and Sources reflected ascashbalances. difference betweenfundsreceivedanddollarsspentis less that$3.0milliononanygivendayoftheyear. The range fromahighpointof$120milliontolow of federal-aidhighwayfunds. Actual cashbalancescan Highway Trust Fundandthroughweeklyreimbursements Fund frommonth-enddistributionsmadethestate’s Revenues accrueinNDOR’s RoadsOperationsCash following fiscalyear. anticipated throughoutthecurrentfiscalyearandinto balances andprojectslowpointthatare expenditures. Also, thesystemreportsactualdailycash projections aremadeforfuturerevenuesand system. This systemismanagedonadailybasisand expenditures bymeansofacashflowmanagement The Departmentaccountsforallofitsrevenuesand Highway CashFundBalance ■ Public Transit compared toStaffingLevels NDOR TotalConstructionProgram Department ofRoads. transit andrailfunctionsthatareadministeredbythe percentofthetotalareforpublic Expenditures of1 & Rail

Progress Size in Millions 1% $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 $350 $50 $0 FY 1988-2003representsfiscalyearend stafflevels. '88 2,235 $162.3 Services & Department ofRoadsExpenditures Department '89

2,205 $173.5 Support Staffing Level Program Size 5% '90 2,235 $218.1

'91 2,241 $251.6

'92 2,263 $220.8 Maintenance 2,257 $225.9 '93 15% 2,262 $206.0 '94

2,255 $234.5 '95 2,268 $299.6 '96 2,270 $259.8 '97 2,262 $268.7 Construction '98 2,279 $294.5 79%

'99 2,246 $288.0

'00 2,228 $307.2

'01 2,180 $320.0

2,168 $336.0 '02 '03 All Education expenditures. were $569million,9percentoftheentirestate was $6.127billion.Ofthistotal,NDOR'sexpenditures In FY-2003 theStateofNebraska'sannualexpenditures Transportation CostsforNDOR they performandlowcashbalancesoccur. are drawndownascontractorspaidforthework following summerandfallmonths,thesecashbalances season slows,revenuesbegintoaccumulate.Inthe During thewintermonthsascontractconstruction 2050 2100 2150 2200 2250 2300 2350 2400 2450 2500 37% A na o on c-0$.4 a-1$429Sp0 $2.887 Sep-02 $24.239 Jan-01 $5.440 Oct-00 nnual LowPoint

Millions $100 $120 $20 $40 $60 $80 $0 CalendarYear2000200120022003 declined. program hasgrown,NDOR workforcehas FY-1988. Whilethehighway construction shown amodestbutsteadygrowthsince state highwaysystemprogramthathas achieved thismissionbyproducinga movement ofpeopleandgoods.NDOR stateside transportationsystemforthe efficient, affordable, andcoordinated NDOR's missionistoprovideasafe, Staffing Level Staffing Levels Construction ProgramComparedto Highway CashFundBalance Health & Services Human 35% Actual Department Projected of Roads 9% e-3$13,560 Sep-03 Agencies All Other State 19%

33 Financial Status and Sources n efficient, quality transportation system continues to be a major key in ensuring A Nebraska’s ability to compete in a global economy by providing the means to move products and people. With the constantly changing economy, the flow of goods and the movement of people remains a vital function of the nation.

Traffic is expected to continue to increase, and Nebraska will continue to enhance its efforts to work with elected officials, businesses, citizens, and all stakeholders to plan for future transportation needs. To remain ready for future growth, Nebraska must continue to make sound investments in transportation services and infrastructure.

Nebraska Department of Roads 1500 Highway 2 PO Box 94759 Lincoln NE 68509-4759 www.nebraskatransportation.org