This year and into early 2026 will be a busy time for the area of 42nd Street, between Farnam and Leavenworth streets.
Starting in late spring and early summer, Metropolitan Utilities District will begin to repair the water main line that runs underneath 42nd Street. In past years, this water main has experienced bursts causing disruption and flooding to facilities, so this work is being done to proactively alleviate such water main breaks from occurring in the future.
In addition, during this time, Farnam Street will permanently become two-way traffic at the corner of 42nd and Farnam streets, near where a bank building once stood. This location will become a green space with new UNMC and Nebraska Medicine signage.
Then beginning in the summer and continuing into spring 2026, infrastructure work will continue, as well as streetscape and pedestrian safety projects.
A project will remove the island at the pedestrian crosswalk at 42nd Street near the entrance to Wittson Hall to create a shorter crossing distance and eliminate the line-of-site issues caused by drop-offs at this location. It also will install a raised pedestrian platform to increase visibility and slow traffic. Another traffic calming device that will be implemented is narrowing of the traffic lanes through this area. Sidewalks also will be widened to increase pedestrian safety.
Throughout construction, access to Clarkson Tower and Lot 1 will remain, from at least one direction, and 42nd and Emile streets will never be completely blocked. Signage will be in place to detour and direct traffic during construction work.
Prior to each phase of work beginning, updates will be provided in UNMC Today and the NOW.