COLUMBUS -- As the Columbus viaduct and Loup River bridge projects near completion, some drivers are beginning to notice increased damage on the detour routes on Nebraska State highways 22 and 39.
Nebraska Department of Roads Communications Director Mary Jo Oie said increased stress to detour routes is factored in as part of the department’s traffic study projections before the project is launched.
“Because we know there will be stress to the chosen detour routes, it is the department’s policy to route those detours to other state roadways in order to minimize damage and stress to other county and city roads,” Oie said. “Traffic studies are done before the additional traffic is routed to the detours and any maintenance or repair needed to accommodate increased traffic is completed in advance.”
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Increased use taking toll on detour roads
By Eric Freeman efreeman@columbustelegram.com
Monday, Oct 12, 2009 - 10:06:17 am CDT
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Farmerboy
Oct 12, 2009 10:22 AM
Yeah "Keeping an eye on the roads." I bet. All your keeping your eye on is for your next paycheck.whatthe
Oct 12, 2009 10:41 AM
So obviously I can't read the whole article cause I don't give my money to this nonsense so what about after they are done using these detours? Do they go back in a fix them, I am not talking about patching the holes that DOESN'T work.P.S. Columbus:thanks again for ruining platte county roads that weren't meant to have so much traffic on them. Stay Classy!!
No Center Stripe
Oct 12, 2009 11:55 AM
Maybe we could get Mr. Nobel Pizza Prize winner to send us some stimulus money to fix em up.Hello
Oct 12, 2009 4:23 PM
After the new viaduct is done, maybe we should keep it closed to traffic. Without all the traffic, we won't need to ever repair it. Hello - Roads are made to be driven on.
to Hello
Oct 12, 2009 5:36 PM
Yes roads are made to be driven on. But some have a weight capacity that were never meant for huge a$$ trucks.to to hello
Oct 12, 2009 8:00 PM
Wow! That must be something new in Nebraska! I've seen weight limits for bridges, but I've never seen a weight limit sign for highways! Where are these "big a** trucks" supposed to drive...in the ditches?really
Oct 12, 2009 8:29 PM
to whatthe:Columbus had nothing to do with the detours, let alone the viaduct construction...that is a state job. Do you really think Columbus would have tried to make detours that far away from town? Heck no!!! If they had their way, all of the traffic would have been detoured through town in hopes that people would stop and shop in Columbus. Get a clue!
To Really
Oct 12, 2009 8:59 PM
Your wrong!!! Columbus administration did not want the detour through town because the state wouldn't help pay for street repair on city streets. Ever notice there is no orange signs that say DETOUR in Columbus for the viaduct? If they did trucks would be allowed then.to to to hello
Oct 13, 2009 9:50 AM
Blacktop roads aren't built for big heavy trucks (in the high volumes that are being seen) the asphalt isn't thick enough and there usually aren't any shoulders so when increased truck traffic happens, the road begins to ripple and the shoulders sag, which is what is happening south of Monroe, that is NOT part of the detour but tell that to all the trucks that take it for a short cut. So yeah there is a weight limit to some roads.What a joke
Oct 13, 2009 12:13 PM
Haha...they do studies prior???? Well south of Genoa to Silver Creek is a joke...they recently "redid" our road...they milled it down, but didn't bother to pay closer attention to where all the previous asphalt got squished out into the shoulder, only milled down part of it and kept on a going...then they sprayed oil and graveled it...how about picking a different time of year first off...harvest is a horrible time of year to do that sort of thing, and now when there are a ton of vehicles on it, wait until the detour is over, we've suffered this long. Now it's only gonna get worse before it gets any better. And as for certain roads being picked as detour routes, it's because of bridge weight limits...all of those truckers taking the road south of Monroe are asking for trouble since the bridge isn't weighted for a heavy load...DOT sits out there occasionally doing checks, so maybe they should take the detours just like everyone else has too!!!Smarty Jones
Oct 13, 2009 1:24 PM
Yes cant wait should be fun this winter. So let me guess a new record high of pot holes next spring that will be cool keep the local repair shops busyI agree
Oct 14, 2009 11:43 AM
Yes, highway 39 is getting torn up from all the traffic, but no one cares, was there ever any consideration that this detour routes huge amounts of truck traffic right through a school intersection in Genoa? Little kids and the teen parking lot cross right where all the cars and trucks turn. Real nice, yeah I bet they did studies, tell that to the 5 year old that is staring at the 80,000lb. truck next to him, they have to both use the same street everyday. Tell me you took that into consideration. How about all the teen drivers that drive on highway 39 which is now all dished out and holding water so they have to fight the road, plus the inexperience, yeah, we took all that into consideration, tell me that spokesperson lady. What do you care, sit in your office and close your eyes.
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