Nebraska Department of Roads officials are pleased with Tuesday’s open house information meeting in Chadron on the proposed repaving of Highway 20 about 2 years from now.

District 5 construction engineer Doug Hoevet says about 40 residents stopped in at some point in the two hours, asking questions about the project.

“We had a good turnout with a lot of people who expressed their concerns with access, safety, the need for the project and the like. Basically, tonight was to gather information from the public, finding local details and concerns that we can take back to the drawing board and refine the plan.”

The current proposal will replace the existing asphalt pavement between Pine and Spruce Streets with concrete…expected to all but eliminate maintenance for decades. Hoevet says the switch to concrete does mean the construction phase will take longer

“Because it’s concrete, we have a week’s curing time between when it’s placed and when traffic is allowed on it.  Also, keeping the roadway open to traffic throughout construction and shifting traffic north and south means doing the work in phases, also adding to the time.

Included with the project is an upgrade and expansion of the storm drainage system on that stretch of the highway…3rd Street through Chadron…and tie it into the city’s coming expansion of its storm sewer system.

Highway 20 repaving project is tentatively scheduled for the 2015 construction season.