Julie Davis
jdavis@cherryroad.com

Otoe County residents have until Friday, April 18, to submit comments on a proposed highway modification to Nebraska 2 in Palmyra.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is proposing to build Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections at the Nebraska 2 intersection with Highway 43 and I Street, as well as at the Nebraska 2 and the Spur 66A intersection.

Additionally, offset right turn lanes would be built at both locations, and new lighting would be added.

The purpose of the proposed project is to reduce crash frequency and severity, according to NDOT.

An RCUT is an intersection design where side street drivers must turn right onto a divided highway and then make a U-turn at a designated median opening, eliminating left turns or crossing traffic, according to NDOT.

While it may seem inconvenient to drive a few extra feet for a U-turn, this small change can make a significant difference in saving lives, according to NDOT.

Between 2021-2023, the RCUT at US-81 and N-91 (near Humphrey) reduced crashes by 54 percent and reduced fatalities and injuries by 96 percent.

There are currently three RCUT intersections in place in Nebraska: one near Humphrey, one near North Bend, and one near Murray.

Estimated cost for the project would be $5.7 million from federal and state sources, and construction could begin as early as spring 2026.

To get the comment process going, NDOT hosted an informational open house at Palmyra High School on Thursday, April 3.

To submit your comments, visit www.ndot.info/13573 or send them to NDOT Headquarters, 1500 Nebraska Parkway, Lincoln, NE 68502. Reference Project HSIP-2-7(125); C.N. 13573 in your comments.