After being delayed more than a year, the Highway 6 reconstruction project through Milford is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2024.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation will reconstruct and widen the highway 6 feet on either side.
The 1.02 miles of construction will run from the railroad crossing on the north side of Milford all the way through town to the west side of F Street.
The project has been under discussion for years, with NDOT first introducing it to the community at an open house in 2021.
The city has spent large sums of money in materials and labor costs to patch and repair cracks and potholes in the crumbling road for years.
It receives some reimbursement from the state, but not enough to cover the full cost.
Milford Maintenance Superintendent Gary TeSelle said NDOT has awarded the bid for the project, which will be paid for by state and federal funds.
“That’s a pretty good sign that it’s going to go this time,” he said.
New curb and gutter will be installed to alleviate drainage problems. Medians will be removed, and turn lanes will be extended on either side of the approach to Southeast Community College.
NDOT also will install new sidewalks, driveways and street lights along the route as needed.
It will work with the city to move water mains and storm sewer lines.
TeSelle said the project will coincide with the city’s water main improvement project. One of the mains is under the highway, so the state will move it off to one side.
“The state will be finishing off the last parts of some of our water main project that’s along the highway, from B Street to Maple Street,” TeSelle said. “There’s a tie-in on F Street that they’re going to pick up now, so that saves us a little more money.”
A number of trees will be removed for the project, and NDOT has already obtained additional construction easements, though all widening is being done on the public right of way.
