Work on the east portion of the intersection at 42nd and Leavenworth streets is expected to be completed today, said Archie Carpenter, construction project manager for UNMC Facilities Management and Planning.
Since July 5, the construction crew has been adding a right-hand turn lane going from westbound Leavenworth Street to northbound 42nd Street. They also have redone the sidewalk on the north side of Leavenworth Street between 42nd Street and 41st Street.
Once work on the east portion of the intersection is completed, Carpenter said work will begin on the west portion of the intersection. This will include:
- Adding, at the northwest corner of the intersection, a right-hand turn lane going from southbound 42nd Street to westbound Leavenworth Street.
- Adding a left-hand turn signal for people going south on 42nd Street and wanting to go east on Leavenworth Street.
- Adding a left-hand turn signal for people going east on Leavenworth and wanting to go north on 42nd Street.
- Adding permanent turn signal poles on the east and west side of 42nd Street to replace the temporary signals now being used.
Contingent on the weather, Carpenter anticipates that work on the west portion of the intersection should be completed by early October. He noted that approximately 20,000 vehicles flow through the intersection each day.
He cautioned that the entrance to upper and lower parking lot 22 will be somewhat restricted during construction of the right-hand turn lane going from southbound 42nd Street to westbound Leavenworth Street.
“We will do everything we can to keep the disruption to a minimum,” Carpenter said. “We plan to pour the concrete in stages, so that at least a portion of the parking lot entrance will be open at all times. We are hopeful the disruption only will last about 4-5 days when they start pouring the turn lane in front of the parking lot entrance.”
Carpenter said a wider sidewalk also will be added on the west side of 42nd Street between the lot 22 entrance and the northwest corner of the intersection. In addition, the Omaha Metro bus stop will move from the northwest corner to the southwest corner of the intersection. It is not known when this bus stop move will take place, he said.
Another project that will impact people parking in upper lot 22 involves the installation of new underground fuel tanks to run the generators in the Central Utilities Plant. This project is ongoing and is expected to extend into October.
Later this fall, after the intersection work is completed, Carpenter said the City of Omaha plans to resurface the asphalt on about one mile of Leavenworth Street.
“We don’t know how long this resurfacing project will take,” he said. “But, we just want people to be prepared that this work lies ahead. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during these next couple months.”
Pedestrians should follow signs and take extra precautions when walking near the construction area, Carpenter said.