Project Information

Project #: S-12-5(1011)
Control #: 31674

Project Description:

The proposed project includes two segments of the Nebraska Highway 12 (N-12) roadway east and west of the Village of Niobrara, in Knox County, Nebraska. The west segment starts just east of Verdel and extends approximately 6.2 miles. The east segment starts just east of Niobrara and extends east approximately 6 miles. The highway experiences flooding and damage due to high water levels associated with the Missouri River.

The purpose of the proposed project is to rehabilitate the existing roadway to maximize utilization, improve the safety and reliability, and bring the roadway up to current NDOT design standards for a major arterial highway between Verdel, Nebraska and Santee Spur (S-54D). The project is needed due to ongoing risk of flooding, unreliable operations, and interruptions to regional connectivity.

The ultimate configuration will be a two-lane roadway with paved shoulders. The new alignment will be shifted north or south and elevated approximately 6 to 8 feet higher than the existing to meet the design year flood elevation. Traffic will be maintained throughout construction on either the existing lanes or temporarily constructed lane(s) by the use of appropriate traffic control devices and practices. It is anticipated that there will be five bridges, six bridge-sized box culverts, along with multiple box culverts and pipe culverts that will be constructed where necessary. Right-of-Way (ROW), wetland, and stream impacts are anticipated to occur with the proposed project.

Alternatives:

Information from September 2018

• Legal Notice
• Fact Sheet
• Welcome Board
• Purpose and Need
• Location Map
• Preferred Alternative 
• Typical Section
• History and Next Steps
• Aerial East
• Aerial West
• Presentation

Information from August 2016

• Fact Sheet
• Purpose and Need
• Location Map
• Alternatives Carried Forward
• Alternative A7
• Alternative A8
• Typical Sections
• Next Steps

Information from May 2016

Working Toward Balance, Safe, and Reliable Solution for Niobrara East and West Hwy. N-12

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has been developing a new alternative adjacent to the existing highway to provide a long term transportation solution for Nebraska Highway 12 (N-12). Following the November 9, 2015 public hearing, held to receive comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and NDOT's Section 404 permit application, NDOT withdrew their application for the proposed A7 alternative. NDOT is developing a new alternative (A8) adjacent to the existing highway alignment. 

To access the May 6th NDOT news release, click here.

Other Documents:

• A8 Alternative Alignment
• A8 Typical Cross Section

Information from November 2015

Hwy. 12 Alternative Permit Withdrawn by the Nebraska Department of Transportation

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has withdrawn the Highway 12, Section 404, permit application for Alternate A7 east and west of Niobrara, Nebraska. A public hearing was held on November 9, 2015 at the Niobrara Secondary School, in Niobrara. The event was held to receive comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and NDOT's Section 404 permit application; the public made it clear that an alternate solution should be sought.

To access the November 20th NDOT news release, click here.

Next Steps:

• The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to find an alternative alignment that is permitable for the USACE and the National Park
  Service.
• NDOT will submit a new Section 404 permit application to the USACE for consideration and inclusion in an updated EIS.
• A public hearing is anticipated late 2016 or early 2017 to receive public input on the alternative alignment and updated EIS.

Information from October 2015

• US Army Corps of Engineers Newsletter - This is a publication of USACE, and is present here at their request.

Information from October & November 2013

• US Army Corps of Engineers Newsletter - This is a publication of USACE, and is present here at their request.
  
• N-12 Alignment Alternatives

Information from February 2011

• News Release 

Information from October 2009

• Alternatives Design Criteria Memorandum

Information from July 2009

• Project Newsletter

Information from July 23, 2009 Public Meeting

• Meeting Handout
• Presentation
• Meeting Displays

Information from August 28, 2008 Public Meeting

• Project Newsletter
• Meeting Notice
• Poster
• Meeting Handout
• Meeting Displays

Information from July 2008

• Public Notice - US Army Corps of Engineers

Proposed Construction: Two segments of the existing Nebraska Highway 12 (N-12) roadway east and west of the Village of Niobrara, in Knox County, Nebraska, have experienced flooding and damage due to high water levels associated with the Missouri River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) and NDOT propose to improve or relocate N-12 or eliminate the flooding and damage to provide a reliable, stable, and safe roadway for the region.

Related Studies: Due to this project's potential impact to wetlands and other waters of the U.S., as well as other potential impacts, an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is warranted.  The Corps, as the lead Federal agency with authority under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, initiated a study to develop an EIS to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). 

If you have questions about this project, you can contact the NDOT District 3 Office at 402-370-3470.