NDOT Brings Down Historic Bridge to Improve Mobility

NDOT and Columbus partner on a $22M project to replace the historic Columbus River Loup Bridge and other structures for improved community mobility. Despite traffic disruptions, the construction aims to enhance safety, access, and address deteriorating infrastructure concerns. The new bridge will feature modern amenities and a walking path, embodying a blend of history and progress.

March 24, 2026 - Midwest Edition #7
Lori Tobias – CEG Correspondent

Nebraska DOT photo

Among the significant challenges of the project is traffic management. U.S. 30 is the primary corridor to Columbus from the south and the only river crossing for more than 12 mi.

The project includes the demolition — completed in August 2025 — and replacement of the historic Columbus River Loup Bridge, built in 1931. (Nebraska DOT photo)

A $22 million, three-fold Columbus, Neb., project is replacing two major highway structures and repairing a third. (Nebraska DOT photo)

The bridge was demolished last August using blasting to drop the old truss bridge in two segments. (Nebraska DOT photo)

Built between 1932 and 1933, the southbound bridge was a Parker through truss design that served Nebraska for more than 90 years, according to the Nebraska DOT website. (Nebraska DOT photo)

A $22 million, three-fold Columbus, Neb., project is replacing two major highway structures and repairing a third in a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the city of Columbus in a "multi-year infrastructure project that will improve long-term safety, mobility and access for the entire community."

The project includes the demolition — completed in August 2025 — and replacement of the historic Columbus River Loup Bridge, built in 1931.

"Being Columbus' only direct access from the south, this bridge has been a major lifeblood to our community since it was originally built," said Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley.

In addition to the Columbus River Loup Bridge, the project includes the replacement of the Pawnee Park Drive underpass, built in 1931 and extended in 1984, and repairs to the northbound bridge, built in 1984. All have been determined to be in various states of deterioration.

Nebraska DOT photo

The new southbound bridge will include a shared use path along the west side of the bridge, connecting to the Pawnee Park Trail on the north side of the river and a future trail to be built along U.S. Highway 30 (U.S. 30)/ U.S. Highway 81(U.S. 81) south of the river. Roadway lighting will be replaced, portions of the existing roadway pavement and driveways will be replaced and utilities close to the existing road will be relocated.

The construction bid was awarded to Hawkins Construction Company. It is expected to cause some "traffic discomfort but is necessary if Columbus wants to continue to develop," said Columbus First Ward City Councilman Charlie Bahr.

"The bridge is deteriorating, and its repair has become a pressing issue. One only needs to drive across the bridge to understand that. Making sure people from the south of town can get here and leave is imperative for several reasons," Bahr said.

Built between 1932 and 1933, the southbound bridge was a Parker through truss design that served Nebraska for more than 90 years, according to the Nebraska DOT website. "It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, recognized for its contribution to Nebraska's early highway system. For many in Columbus, this structure was more than just a bridge — it was a local landmark," according to the website

Over time, the bridge developed significant structural deficiencies and was placed under a weight restriction. It also lacked modern features like updated guardrails, energy-efficient lighting and a safe pedestrian path. Considered a major mid-state river crossing, the bridge served as a key artery for freight movement, regional commerce and daily travel. It also played a vital role in Columbus' continued growth, supporting both residential and commercial development south of the Loup River.

Nebraska DOT photo

"Reliable access here impacts everything from emergency response times to business logistics and recreational use," according to NDOT's website

The bridge was demolished last August using blasting to drop the old truss bridge in two segments.

Among the significant challenges of the project is traffic management. U.S. 30 is the primary corridor to Columbus from the south and the only river crossing for more than 12 mi. Its four lanes accommodate more than 14,000 vehicles per day, according to Kevin Domogalla, NDOT District engineer of District 3. Since the start of construction, traffic has been reduced to two lanes on the northbound structure during the replacement of the southbound bridge.

In addition to traffic management, environmental considerations factor greatly. This includes the potential presence of pallid sturgeon, lake sturgeon and sturgeon chub, restricting in-channel work to the period between Aug. 1st through Feb. 28th in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The contractor has structured the schedule to meet these commitments. A levee protecting the city of Columbus on the north bank of the river also requires coordination while crews are working within the area of the levee.

The Columbus Loup River Bridge is gone, but its history will be memorialized in an interpretative display in the nearby Pawnee Park. NDOT has partnered with the city of Columbus to design and install a reduced scale recreation of the historic bridge. The plans call for the installation to be constructed of new materials and including a display of photos, maps, and information on the bridge history.

The highway project is slated for completion in 2027. CEG

Lori Tobias

Lori Tobias is a career journalist, formerly on staff as the Oregon Coast reporter at The Oregonian and as a columnist and features writer at the Rocky Mountain News. She is the author of the memoir, Storm Beat - A Journalist Reports from the Oregon Coast, and the novel Wander, winner of the Nancy Pearl Literary Award in 2017. She has freelanced for numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Denver Post, Alaska Airlines in-flight, Natural Home, Spotlight Germany, Vegetarian Times and the Miami Herald. She is an avid reader, enjoys kayaking, traveling and exploring the Oregon Coast where she lives with her husband Chan and rescue pups, Gus and Lily.