The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced that construction on the Carns State Aid Bridge began March 10. The bridge is located approximately 5.5 mi. east of the Highway 7 bridge over the Niobrara River in Rock and Keya Paha counties and is the final emergency response project from the flooding of March 2019 to go to construction.

The Carns State Aid Bridge, also spanning the Niobrara River, was one of the 27 bridges damaged in 2019 when historic water currents and extreme ice flows in the Niobrara River caused widespread damage to roadways and property across the state. At the highest point of flooding, approximately 1/3 of the state-maintained roadway system was impassable.

"NDOT is excited that full access for locals in these communities will soon be restored," said Jodi Gibson, local assistance division manager. "The damage to roads and bridges that we saw in 2019 was unimaginable and we are glad to see the recovery efforts in Nebraska complete."

United Contractors is the contractor for this project. Work will include replacing the previous bridge with an 850-ft. concrete bridge and a new roadway north and south of the river. A detour will remain in place until construction completion, which is anticipated to be July 2026.

For more information, visit dot.nebraska.gov. 