Orange cones sprout like dandelions this time of year as road construction begins in earnest. While city streets in Alliance have yet to see any major work this spring, drive south of town on Highway 385 to see crews in Morrill County preparing for the next four-lane expansion of the Heartland Expressway. I wonder what the long-term environmental impact will be as heavy equipment moves tons of sandy soil?
The Nebraska Department of Transportation has spent decades planning and expanding/improving stretches of highway along the Heartland Expressway route. Progress has been largely dependent on funding. A couple years ago Alliance saw completion of divided four-lane highway from the intersection with Highway 2 south into the Sandhills. That project and the current construction, which will stretch south from where the former left off to the turnoff to Scottsbluff at Link 62A, are addressed in the NDOT’s 2014 Draft Environmental Assessment. Based on its research, the Department issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) concerning the environment along the 26-mile stretch between Alliance and L62A. So, as the landscape is shaped and molded for two lanes to parallel the existing highway, workers are proceeding based on the best options formulated seven years ago. The NDOT took input from public meetings into account when drafting the assessment.
The segment from Alliance south involved a couple miles in the Sandhills, while the current project also involves several miles of this scenic landscape. NDOT District 5 Engineer Doug Hoevet recently discussed the Heartland Expressway construction. He said environmentally sensitive areas come into play during the planning process. The sandy nature of the soil, water table and wetlands are among considerations.
“Building in the sand is certainly different because of its inherent instability. Sometimes you need water to drive on it. There is always a concern of getting stuck. Contractors that we employ look at the project and determine if it’s something they can do,” Hoevet said.
Workers implement measures to reduce erosion and will replant with native vegetation.
A mobile irrigation network has been set up to tap wetlands along the project to water areas of active dirtwork. Concerning wetlands that will ultimately be affected by the project, the environmental assessment cites about 10 acres of wetlands that would be lost to construction and subsequently mitigated. The NDOT is working with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) to create new wetlands likely in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.5. That would result in 10-15 acres of in-kind replacement. An example of this tradeoff can be seen west of Minitare on Highway 26 where three wetlands were created when that stretch of the Heartland Expressway expanded to four lanes.
Though current work is taking place in a rural area, construction does affect the surrounding landowners. Hoevet emphasized the commitment by contractors to ensure access for homeowners and their activities, such as moving cattle.
Some environmental decisions are left up to contractors, including demolition of buildings in the unincorporated community of Angora. More than a half dozen structures are being removed from the right of way. Hoevet said it is their decision whether to recycle steel, crush concrete and other “green” options.
Watching the drive to Scottsbluff gradually change over the weeks, “It is kind of an exciting project for the area,” Hoevet said. I agree. After years of consideration for the environment and other factors we will soon be able to enjoy the expanded expressway.