City, RTSD Receive $66.7 Million Grant for Railroad Crossing Project

City, RTSD Receive $66.7 Million Grant for Railroad Crossing Project

Published on January 14, 2025

Award is largest competitive grant in Lincoln and Lancaster County history

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, with transportation and railroad safety officials, today said that a $66.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration to make improvements at two railroad crossings and intersections near 33rd Street and Cornhusker Highway will improve safety, reduce traffic delays, and enhance connectivity for Lincoln residents.

"With this historic grant, the largest competitive grant we've received as a City, we will improve safety, reduce traffic delays, and enhance transportation connections for Lincoln drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. This significant award will cover over half of the total estimated cost of the project," Mayor Gaylor Baird said.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway along Cornhusker Highway currently carries an estimated 48 trains daily on the double-track mainline railroad that crosses North 33rd Street and Adams Street. Traffic is blocked at each railroad crossing at least 3 1/2 hours per day, and over the last 37 years, there have been 20 crashes with six fatalities and three injuries.

Joining Mayor at the news conference were:

• Liz Elliott, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director
• Vicki Kramer, Nebraska Department of Transportation Director (NDOT)
• Roger Figard, Railroad Transportation Safety District (RTSD) Executive Director
• Deb Schorr, District Director for Congressman Mike Flood and former RTSD Board member
• Jeff Davis, BNSF State Government Affairs Director
• James Michael Bowers, City Council member
• Ray Ringlein, Outreach Director for Senator Deb Fischer

The proposed 33rd Street and Cornhusker Highway Intersection Improvement Project would build a new bridge over the rail corridor along Cornhusker Highway to eliminate the railroad crossings at North 33rd Street and Adams Street. Elliott said the project is currently in the planning, environmental analysis and preliminary engineering phase, which is scheduled to end in 2027. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with an opening date estimated for late 2031.

Goals for the railroad crossing and intersection project include:

• Improve safety by eliminating or reducing the conflict points between trains, vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists
• Reduce delay for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists crossing the rail corridor
• Make accommodations for existing and future traffic to reduce congestion along roadways crossing the rail corridor
• Improve mobility across the rail corridor in north Lincoln
• Improve multi-modal connectivity in north Lincoln for vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and bus transit

Elliott thanked the local and state partners for their financial contributions to the project and reminded residents that the City's portion of funding is generated by the Lincoln on the Move quarter-cent sales tax. The federal grant covers 58.2% of the total cost of the $120 million project. Lincoln on the Move, RTSD, BNSF, and NDOT will contribute nearly $48 million to the project. RTSD has already invested $5.2 million in planning, preliminary design, environmental approval and community engagement.

"This project is about creating a safer, more connected, and more vibrant community for all of us," Elliott said.

Figard said that the two roundabouts, viaduct, and sidewalk and trail improvements included in the proposed project will benefit commuters, businesses, and Lincoln's broader transportation network.

"This project isn't just about infrastructure; it's about making Lincoln and Lancaster County safer, more connected, and more efficient for everyone," Figard said. "We can confidently say this project will save lives and prevent multiple points of conflict for potential crashes."

Kramer said the vision and commitment by City, State, and Federal partners over many years have been crucial to moving the 33rd Street and Cornhusker Highway Intersection Improvement Project move forward.

"Projects of this complexity don't happen without strong partnerships. We look forward to working closely with Director Elliott and the rest of the stakeholders to make sure this project is successful and delivered on time and on schedule," Kramer said.

Schorr said Senator Fischer and Congressman Flood were strong advocates of the project knowing how transformative it would be for Lincoln and Lancaster County.

"Today marks a historic moment for Lincoln and Lancaster County and what can be accomplished when we work together," Schorr said.

"Eliminating the two at-grade crossings will reduce traffic congestion and vehicle delays - and increase response times from our first responders," Bowers said. "This is a great example of what can be achieved working in partnership and maximizing financial resources to address a real problem."

Visit the 33rd and Cornhusker Improvement Project for more information.

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