The nebraska department of transportation (ndot) omaha to lincoln rail crossing safety improvement plan (the project) will undertake an in-depth study of 143 public railroad crossings across a…

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) received a $750,000 Project Grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Railroad Crossing Elimination program (CFDA 20.327), awarded May 1, 2025, with completion targeted by August 31, 2026. The primary deliverable is a comprehensive Omaha to Lincoln Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Plan that will conduct an in-depth study of 143 public railroad crossings across a five-county corridor along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway. This planning effort will identify safety enhancement opportunities and develop a corridor safety strategy addressing documented risks to road users, including safety hazards and travel delays associated with at-grade rail crossings.

The plan will evaluate and propose various safety improvement solutions, including crossing closures, installation of active warning devices, crossing realignment, grade crossing upgrades, improved warning systems, new roadway connections, and grade separation construction. The project directly supports NDOT's mission to enhance public safety and community connectivity while advancing the planning efforts of the Omaha and Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and NDOT's Section 130 program. Anticipated benefits include increased safety for residents and commuters, improved quality of life, enhanced regional economic competitiveness, and reduced transportation costs.

The nebraska department of transportation (ndot) omaha to lincoln rail crossing safety improvement plan (the project) will undertake an in-depth study of 143 public railroad crossings across a five-county area extending between lincoln and omaha, nebraska, along the burlington northern santa FE (bnsf) railway. Community and state plans have highlighted numerous at-grade rail crossings that present serious safety risks to all road users, leading to safety issues and travel delays. A corridor safety plan is needed to identify opportunities to enhance safety and address community needs related to these crossings. The plan will propose various safety improvements, which may include crossing closures, installation of active warning devices, realignment of crossings, upgrades to grade crossings, improved warning systems, new roadway connections, and grade separations. This project supports the nebraska department of transportation (ndot) mission by increasing public safety, enhancing community facilities, and expanding access to active transportation. IT will also contribute to the planning efforts of the metropolitan planning organizations (mpos) in omaha and lincoln, as well as the ndot section 130 program. The anticipated benefits include increased safety for residents and commuters, enhanced quality of life, increased opportunities for economic growth, enhanced regional connectivity, and reduced transportation costs. These benefits will boost the study area s competitiveness for private investment and foster regional economic prosperity.