Lincoln drivers should prepare for several localized closures and turn restrictions beginning Monday as the city advances multiple street improvement and utility projects, officials with Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) announced.
Scope of closures and timing
LTU said four locations across the city will be affected by closures or temporary traffic changes. The agency emphasized that the work is part of separate projects — private crane operations, street improvements, paving and utility work — and that individual schedules may shift due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
- Centennial Mall (between M and N streets): Closed beginning Monday for private crane work. The city expects the closure to remain in place through Friday, Oct. 9. M and N streets themselves will remain open.
- 56th Street at Cornhusker Highway: Left turns from 56th Street onto Cornhusker Highway and from Cornhusker Highway onto 56th Street will be prohibited beginning Monday as part of a street improvement project. That restriction will run through Friday, Oct. 2.
- Van Dorn Street (between 98th and 112th streets): Closed beginning Monday for a paving project. LTU said the paving work is expected to be completed by early November. The department suggested alternate routing via 98th Street or 148th Street to Old Cheney Road.
- Eastbound O Street (between 11th and 12th streets): Closed Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 2, for utility work. Eleventh and 12th streets will remain open to traffic.
Advice for motorists and businesses
LTU encouraged motorists to seek alternate routes and to exercise caution around the work zones. The department also reminded residents that project dates are subject to change.
"Travelers are encouraged to seek an alternate route and exercise caution around these closures."
Officials said up-to-date information on street closures is available at lincoln.ne.gov/closures and via the Waze mobile app. The city also noted that some closures relate to private contractors working on behalf of property owners, such as the crane work at Centennial Mall.
Practical impacts and alternatives
The closures will have different local impacts. The Centennial Mall restriction is concentrated downtown and may affect people accessing nearby offices, government buildings or retail space between M and N streets. The prohibition on left turns at the 56th Street and Cornhusker Highway intersection will alter traffic flow for commuters and commercial vehicles using that corridor for east-west or north-south movement.
For residents and businesses near Van Dorn Street between 98th and 112th streets, the paving closure could add travel time and require rerouting to major arterials. The city recommended the following alternatives:
- Use 98th Street to bypass the closed segment of Van Dorn Street.
- Use 148th Street to Old Cheney Road as another east-west alternative around the paving area.
- Follow posted detour signs and allow extra travel time on affected days.
| Location | Work | Expected timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial Mall (M–N) | Private crane work | Through Oct. 9 |
| 56th & Cornhusker Hwy | Left-turn prohibitions (street improvement) | Through Oct. 2 |
| Van Dorn (98th–112th) | Paving | Through early November |
| O Street (11th–12th, eastbound) | Utility work | Oct. 2 (Wed–Fri) |
LTU also cautioned that timelines may change and that residents should check the city’s closures page or the Waze app for the latest updates. For businesses and delivery services, planning alternate routes ahead of scheduled work is advised to minimize disruptions.
The department’s advisory reflects the city’s usual practice of coordinating closures and public communication to reduce congestion and safety risks during construction and utility operations.
