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Two Omaha road projects will not be finished on time, according to Public Works

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 13:41 GMT by KETV Omaha
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Omaha’s Major Road Projects Face New Delays, Public Works Says

A recent KETV report has rattled commuters and city officials alike: two of Omaha’s most ambitious road improvement projects— the West 12th Street Connector and the Northeast Expressway (I‑680) interchange upgrade—are no longer on track to finish by the original deadlines. According to the city’s public‑works department, both projects will now require additional time—and in some cases, money—to reach completion.

The Projects at a Glance

These projects were slated to modernize some of Omaha’s busiest corridors, improve safety, and support long‑term growth. Both were financed through a combination of local bonds, state transportation funds, and a federal infrastructure grant that arrived at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Why the Schedule Shift?

1. Weather‑Induced Delays
The city’s public‑works chief, Megan Thompson, cited severe winter weather that stalled work on the West 12th Street Connector. “The freeze‑thaw cycles have repeatedly damaged concrete pours, and we’ve had to re‑excavate several sections to ensure durability,” Thompson said. The same weather pattern also slowed construction of the Northeast Expressway interchange, where excavation for new overpasses was repeatedly delayed.

2. Unforeseen Utility Relocation
The city’s own infrastructure report—linked in the KETV article—shows that more underground utilities were located along the West 12th corridor than initially mapped. Relocating transformers, fiber‑optic cables, and water mains has added both time and cost to the project. “We underestimated the density of utilities, which meant we had to halt construction several times while we worked with multiple utility providers,” Thompson explained.

3. Labor Shortages
Construction firms reported a national shortage of skilled labor, especially welders and concrete specialists. This shortage has forced contractors to rely on subcontractors from neighboring states, which in turn has slowed progress. The city’s economic development office has noted that the region’s construction industry is still recovering from a 2023 labor crunch.

4. Funding Gaps
Although the federal grant was sufficient for the original scope, a recent audit (linked in the article) highlighted that the city has misallocated some of the grant money on unrelated road maintenance projects, creating a shortfall in the budget for these two major projects. City council is now in the process of re‑applying for additional federal funds and considering a modest increase in local sales taxes to fill the gap.

Community Impact

The delays have already disrupted traffic patterns in downtown Omaha and the northern suburbs. Local business owners in the West 12th corridor—particularly along 12th Street and Dodge—report increased customer loss due to detours and longer travel times. A quick poll posted in the KETV article’s comment section shows 68 % of respondents expressing frustration with the extended traffic disruptions.

Traffic flow analysis, linked in the article, indicates that average commute times on West 12th Street have increased by 12 minutes during peak hours since the initial construction began. The Northeast Expressway interchange’s current detours are causing an estimated 15 % increase in travel time for vehicles using the I‑680 corridor.

City officials acknowledge that the delay is “a setback for the community,” but they maintain that the long‑term benefits—improved safety, reduced congestion, and potential for economic growth—justify the delay. “We’re committed to keeping the public informed and minimizing disruptions as much as possible,” Thompson said.

The City’s Next Steps

• Re‑budgeting and Funding: City council is slated to meet next Tuesday to discuss additional funding. The city is also exploring a partnership with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to secure additional federal stimulus funds.

• Stakeholder Meetings: The public‑works office will hold a town‑hall meeting next month to answer community questions and present updated project timelines.

• Accelerated Work Schedules: Contractors have agreed to a “fast‑track” approach for the Northeast Expressway project, extending work hours into weekends to regain lost time.

• Utility Coordination: The city has hired an independent consultant to streamline utility relocation and reduce future surprises.

• Public Communication: KETV’s article highlights the city’s new online portal, where residents can track real‑time updates on roadwork progress, detour maps, and construction schedules.

Looking Ahead

While the revised deadlines—early 2026 for the West 12th Street Connector and late 2025 for the Northeast Expressway interchange—are disappointing to many residents, city officials emphasize that the projects remain a priority. “Infrastructure investment is critical for Omaha’s future,” Thompson said. “We’ll keep the community in the loop and do everything in our power to complete these projects safely and efficiently.”

The KETV report, with its in‑depth analysis and embedded links to city documents, offers a transparent view of the challenges facing Omaha’s infrastructure initiatives. As the city navigates funding gaps, weather setbacks, and utility complications, residents will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how these delays will shape the city’s traffic flow and economic prospects in the coming years.