Seward County Commissioners Misty Ahmic and Scott Pekarek had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Rep. Mike Flood Oct. 21 to discuss safety issues being addressed with the State Street Tech South Pedestrian Safety Project, but also pushed for future funding for three other priority road projects in the county.
Flood’s visit came as the county, city of Milford and Southeast Community College are preparing to test a possible traffic bypass for the road that cuts through the college’s campus from Highway 6 running south toward the regional landfill and Crete after it becomes 238th Road. The Seward/Saline County Solid Waste Management Agency is also involved in the study.
Ahmic and Pekarek represent the districts in the southeast portion of Seward County.
The county last December received a $400,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to study ways to improve safety on the road that is frequently used by motorists and pedestrians on campus. More federal funding would likely be needed to implement safety solutions.
The grant program requires a $100,000 local match that will primarily be met through in-kind work and use of equipment by the Seward County Roads Department and others.
County Board Chair Ahmic said the first phase of action is to utilize rumble bars, flashing lights and signage to make pedestrians and drivers on State Street, which runs between campus buildings, more aware of each other and to encourage motorists to follow the speed limit.
Alternate routes
considered
Ahmic said on Oct. 22 the project is undergoing a standard environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and is contacting area residents about testing a possible bypass route, using 252nd Road a mile east of State Street and reconnecting with Old Cheney Road.
One area resident has already reached out to Ahmic concerning the hill on that route, which could mean the road would need a bridge or significant grading work for a permanent bypass. Consideration of Denton Road one more mile south of Old Cheney has also been suggested.
But Ahmic said there is still time before a bypass route would be physically tested. For now, they are contacting residents in that area for input. Other routes may still be considered to the east and west of State Street.
“The study could come back and say that is a horrible idea,” she said, noting engineers would need to be involved in that decision.
“We are not to that place yet,” she said. “A demonstration would happen toward the end of next year.”
But she appreciated being able to show Flood what the project is about. In the past, she has said the State Street study could result in a 2028 construction project, but that requires further grants.
“A project of that caliber is going to require more funds than the county has available,” she said.
Focus remains
on 420th Road
During the commissioners’ meeting Oct. 20, however, Commissioner Raegan Hain reminded the board that funding to complete the paving project on 420th Road, which connects Interstate 80 to Highway 34 north of Beaver Crossing should remain a priority.
Hain, who did not seek re-election to the board, noted that she had been working on that project, which is in her district, during her four-year term that ends in early January.
The road is one of only two unpaved connecting roads between the interstate and roads to the north in the state. The other unpaved connecting road is 152nd north of the Pleasant Dale interchange, also in Seward County.
In early 2026, the county received a $1 million commitment for 420th Road, after earlier receiving $3 million for preparatory work. The original plan was for another $4 million to complete the paving.
County officials have worked with the Nebraska delegation in the Senate and House of Representatives to get ear-marked funds for the road, but such funding was removed from the federal budget this year.
Ahmic said the county will have the opportunity to apply for federal funds again and will continue to work with Flood’s staff to gain funding for paving 420th Road and 154th Road and upgrading Matzke Highway.
She said 154th Road gets a good deal of traffic, but is not as heavily traveled as 420th Road.
Ahmic said she also had the opportunity to explain to Flood and his aide that the work recently done on Matzke Highway is not sufficient for the future.
“What we put on there was like a Band-aid,” she said. “Those are the two projects we will be looking at.”
