Since the 1960s, Lincoln has been dreaming of a beltway to divert traffic from the city streets and to enhance traffic flow in town. Due to a lack of funding, the beltway concept never gained traction… until six decades later. The Build Nebraska Act (BNA) was enacted in 2011, which dedicated one-fourth of the state’s sales tax to the expansion of expressways and the preservation of the existing transportation system. With the passing of the BNA, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) finally had the resources it needed to move forward on a project of this magnitude. In February of 2020, construction began on the $352M Lincoln South Beltway to connect U.S. Highway 77 and Nebraska Highway 2.
Assembling a Team of Professionals
The Lincoln South Beltway is the largest and most complex project that the NDOT has launched. With that in mind, it takes many hands on deck. The beltway is contractor-led by Hawkins Construction Company of Omaha. They have assembled a team of professionals to assist with paving, box culverts, pipes, bridges, erosion control, excavating, grading, and hauling materials. As said by Hawkins, earthwork is a vital element of this project as it extends 11-miles into a 4-lane freeway. They estimated that seven million cubic yards of dirt will need to be moved. Since being subcontracted in March of 2020, Gana Trucking & Excavating has worked roughly 25,000 hours and likely has had all 100 of their trucks (plus rentals) running on this project at one point in time. These numbers are just a small fraction of the work that has gone into — and will go into — the whole beltway project. Specifically, Gana Trucking & Excavating has provided side dumps, dump trucks, and a water truck.
Navigating Challenges
With the massive scope of this project, it takes a lot of planning, coordination, and communication, especially when crews are from multiple companies. Along with those efforts, the project has still faced challenges like equipment breakdowns, bad weather, and adjusting to COVID-19 workplace guidelines. Despite all these challenges, work has still steadily continued.
Seeing the End in Sight
While construction only began a year and a half ago, the end is in sight. Progress is right where it needs to be and is scheduled to be completed in 2024. Once the beltway opens to traffic, it will relieve congestion, shorten travel times across town, and eventually attract new development of businesses and housing in the years to come. Gana Trucking & Excavating is proud to be a part of this project and is looking forward to cruising the streets of the Lincoln South Beltway in a few short years.
About Gana Trucking & Excavating
Gana Trucking & Excavating of Martell, NE offers a large range of services. Our fleet of excavation equipment and trucks gives a unique advantage to our customers by providing them with multiple construction services all from a single source. With our extensive background of projects and services, we guarantee that you’ll be happy with our work. And, if you’re on the job hunt, we’re looking for qualified truckers, operators, and mechanics to join our team. You can view job opportunities and apply on the “Careers” page on our website.
For more information or questions, please give us a call at 402-794-5000.
Statistics from the Lincoln Journal Star posted on May 16, 2021: Beltway progress, by the numbers
- Total lane miles to complete project (includes interchange ramps): 77.
- Concrete: 850,000 square yards.
- Interchanges: Five.
- Bridges: 15 of 21 under construction.
- Bridge pilings: 60,830 linear feet in place to date.
- Pounds of rebar for 21 bridges: 5,195,672.
- Culvert drainage pipe: 15,426 linear feet out of 33,376.
- Storm sewer culvert pipe: 4,146 linear feet out of 12,111.
- Box culverts: 33 of 41 completed.
- Dollars spent so far: About $153 million.
- Embankment placed: About 3.3 million cubic yards out of 5.3 million total.
- Contractor personnel during peak season: About 300 (about 200 last week).
- Nebraska Department of Transportation field staff on project: 25.
- Source: NDOT
