Over 11,000 vehicles a day travel along Broadwell Avenue and cross Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks north of 3^rd Street, with traffic anticipated to increase. The City of Grand Island has worked to accommodate this by completing a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to evaluate options for a crossing at or near the existing Broadwell Avenue crossing north of 3^rd Street.  

The purpose of the Study was to determine the need for improvements to improve safety and congestion at the Broadwell Avenue at-grade railroad crossing north of 3^rd Street, evaluate impacts of potential alternatives and identify a locally recommended alternative for the Broadwell Avenue/UPRR crossing.

Currently there are two mainline tracks at the Broadwell Avenue crossing, which carry over 90 trains per day. These tracks are part of the Union Pacific Railroad’s primary rail system for transporting coal between Wyoming and the eastern portion of the country. In addition to coal trains, these tracks serve as part of the main corridor for moving freight between the west and east coasts. It is anticipated that train traffic along this corridor will continue to grow, creating additional delays and safety concerns at existing at-grade crossings. Additionally, this Study was a necessary step as the City seeks to secure federal funding assistance through the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).

On October 11, 2022, via Resolution No. 2022-286, City Council approved the Program Agreement for the Broadwell Avenue Viaduct project with the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).  The project was selected as a NDOT grade separation/railroad safety improvements project, with Federal-aid funding through NDOT.  The federal share payable on any portion of a local federal-aid project is a maximum of 80% of the eligible participating costs, while the Local Public Agency (LPA) is responsible for the remaining 20% as well as all other nonparticipating or ineligible costs of the project.  The current estimate of this project is $34,210,000.00, with the LPA share being $6,872,000.00 at this time. 

Be Involved

Public Meeting #3

The City of Grand Island (City) is hosting a public meeting to present and receive public input on the Broadwell Avenue & Union Pacific Railroad Crossing Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study (Study).

The public meeting will be held at the City of Grand Island Community Meeting Room, 100 East First Street in Grand Island, NE on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. There will be a formal presentation at 5:30 PM and attendees are encouraged to attend any time from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.   

The purpose of the Study is to determine the need for improvements to improve safety and congestion at the Broadwell Avenue at-grade railroad crossing north of 3rd Street, evaluate impacts of potential alternatives and identify a locally recommended alternative for the Broadwell Avenue/UPRR crossing. 

The public meeting is being held to present the draft Study, the locally recommended alternative, and the next steps for the project to receive the public’s input. All interested persons are invited to attend, provide comments and ask questions. Study information will be displayed, and personnel from the City will be present to answer questions and receive comments. La información del estudio estará disponible en español.

Comments will be collected through Friday, March 24, 2023, and should be submitted to Tim Golka, P.E., City of Grand Island, 100 East First Street, Grand Island, NE, 68801, timg@grand-island.com, 308-385-5455.

Information regarding the Study will be available on the City’s website at www.grand-island.com/Broadwell-UPRR. For those unable to attend the in-person meeting and would still like to comment on the draft Study, all materials will be hosted via online meeting from March 9, 2023, through March 24, 2023, at www.grand-island.com/Broadwell-UPRR.

For those without internet access, information may be obtained at the City offices or by contacting the City at Tim Golka, P.E., City of Grand Island, 100 East First Street, Grand Island, NE, 68801, timg@grand-island.com, 308-385-5455. 

Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, hearing impaired devices, large print, or recorded materials are asked to contact the City of Grand Island, 100 East First Street, Grand Island, NE, 68801, 308-389-0140, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting so City staff can make the meeting accessible to all citizens of the community

Link to the online meetings – English and Spanish.

Public meeting boards - English and Spanish

Public meeting handout - English and Spanish

Video Presentation Broadwell/UP Project

Public Meeting No. 2-

A public meeting was held on Thursday, November 12, 2020, to present draft alternatives and receive the public's input.  You can review materials from the public meeting at the links below.

• Handout- English | Spanish
• Display Boards- English | Spanish
• Scroll Maps
  • Alternative A- Two Lane Overpass
  • Alternative B- Three Lane Overpass
  • Alternative C- Four Lane Overpass
  • Alternative D- Two Lane Overpass with Embankment

Public Meeting No. 1-

A public meeting was held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, to introduce the project and receive the public's input.  You can review materials from the public meeting at the links below.

• Handout- English | Spanish
• Display Boards- English | Spanish
• Project Area Map
• Other Railroad Crossings

Study Process

PEL studies represent a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that 1) considers environmental, community and economic goals early in the transportation process, and 2) uses the information, analysis and products developed during planning to inform the review process.¹  This Study will use PEL principles to provide a smooth transition to future phases of this Study.

Initial steps will include traffic, safety and environmental evaluations. Traffic and safety data that will be collected and analyzed includes current and projected traffic volumes, crash data and pavement condition. Environmental evaluations will assess impacts to floodways, floodplains, wetlands, conservation land, threatened and endangered species, historic resources, as well as other impacts.

Based on data collected, the City will then develop preliminary alternatives, in addition to considering the impacts of a no-build alternative. Each evaluation will be developed and screened rigorously with cost, traffic, safety and environmental impacts in mind. The City will also consider and incorporate feedback from the public throughout this process to help refine alternatives. Based on these factors, a locally recommended alternative will be selected at the conclusion of this Study.

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in the Study. Comments or questions related to this Study should be submitted by filling out the form below.

http://mplshdrpi.com/grandisland/

Tim Golka, P.E., City of Grand Island

100 East First Street, Grand Island, NE 68801
timg@grand-island.com
308-385-5455

^{1 “Planning and Environmental Linkages”. Federal Highway Administration, https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/PEL.aspx}