Round and round

State planning to change intersection of Highway 81-12

HARTINGTON — After months of speculation about possible changes along Highway 81 in northern Cedar County, the Nebraska Department of Trans- portation has confirmed plans to construct a round -

about at the intersection of U.S. Highway 81 and Nebraska Highway 12.

Cedar County ocials and landowners near the intersection recently received letters from NDOT seeking public input on the proposed $7.4 million project. The intersection is located about four miles east of Crofton.

According to NDOT District Engineer Kevin Domogalla, the proposal follows a safety study prompted by a concerning number of accidents at the location.

“Due to the number of accidents that we've had up at that intersection, we did a study on it, and a roundabout would be the best solution to mitigate those accidents,” Domogalla said.

Cedar County Sheri Larry Koranda said there are indeed a lot of accidents at the intersection, but he is unsure on how to best improve the road.

NDOT ocials said limited sight distances caused by hills in the area contribute to the crash history. The department evaluated other options, including installing a four-way stop, but determined that solution would not adequately address the issue.

“We had looked at a four-way stop that, of course, wouldn't solve the problem with people running the stop signs and it also does not warrant a four-way stop there,” Domogalla said.

Under the proposal, most of the work would be completed while maintaining trac flow on Highway 81 by using a temporary roadway. The west portion

of Highway 12 would be temporarily closed during part of construction. A designated detour would route trac using Highway 81, Highway 121 and Highway 12.

Construction could begin as early as summer 2027 and be completed by fall or early winter of that year.

NDOT said in its letter to ocials and landowners that it has worked to develop the project “to minimize inconvenience and hardships” and remains committed to improving safety on Nebraska highways.

The department is accepting public comments on the proposal through Thursday, March 19. Additional information is available at ndot.info/32409 or by con- tacting the NDOT District 3 oce at 402-370-3470.

NDOT ocials encourage residents who frequent ly travel through the intersection to review the plans and submit comments before the deadline.