Timeline

1952-1968

• On January 10, 1968, the Lincoln Evening Journal had an article with a map displaying locations of train/car/pedestrian collisions resulting in 55 deaths, 57 injuries and 115 properties damaged. This shocking news brought to attention the immediate need for safety improvements.

1971

• Nebraska legislation authorized RTSD's for 25 years. * This authority was later extended indefinitely

1973

• Corridors 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' were approved as Federal Highway Act demonstration projects.
• Corridors 'E' and 'F' did not have a positive benefit/cost analysis over 20 years, therefore, these corridors were not approved.
• Agreements were established with the City, County and Railroad to provide cooperation at grade crossings for: new signals, new signals with gates, signal upgrades and improved grade crossing surfaces with permanent materials
• Cost of improvements through 1984 = $922,800.

1975

• Five railroads -- Burlington Northern, Union Pacific, Missouri Pacific (MoPac), Chicago Rock Island and Pacific, and Chicago Northwestern -- entered the Lincoln area. At this time Lincoln's population was approximately 150,000. Most railroad crossings were at grade.

1976

• Corridor 'A' work was completed by Burlington Northern and Union Pacific at a cost of $483,000.

1979

• Corridor 'B' work was completed, including the removal of crossings at West 'O' and West 'P', and new track construction in Burlington Northern.

1980

• Corridor 'B-3' was added to provide Coddington Ave. Bridge replacement on US 77 Bypass Alignment.
• Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroads ceased operation in Lincoln.
• Corridors 'C' and 'D' were modified to include only grade separations on:
  • N 27^th Street Viaduct (completed 1986)
  • 'K' Street Connection (completed 1988)
  • 'L' Street Connection (completed 1991)
  • Van Dorn Street Viaduct (completed 1993)

1982

• A new viaduct was constructed in Waverly over Burlington Northern railroad.

1983

• The West Van Dorn Bridge was rebuilt over Burlington Northern near SW 56^th St.

1985

• NDOR completed the US 77 Viaduct.

1988

• The 'K' Street Connection was completed.

1990

• The Lincoln City Engineer was named the Executive Director of RTSD. Previously, from 1971 to 1990, the RTSD had its own Executive Director.
• Cooperation continued between the City, County and Railroad to keep improving signals and permanent materials. Total expenditures from 1990 to 2004 = $2,143,463.

1991

• The 'L' Street connection was completed.
• The Havelock underpass was rebuilt

1993

• The Van Dorn viaduct was completed.
• The 10^th Street viaduct was replaced.

1994

• Lincoln Public Works and Utilities Department took over secretarial/business office functions of RTSD.

1995

• Nebraska Legislature extended RTSD authority indefinitely, which removed the 25 year limit set in 1971.

2000

• A pedestrian underpass was constructed at a school crossing on 'F' St.
• The Haymarket Park pedestrian bridge was built over BNSF.

2004

• The 'A' Street viaduct was constructed, which closed grade crossings at 'A' St., 'B' St., 'C' St. and 'F' St.
• The Firth viaduct was constructed.

2008

• The Harris Overpass at 9th and 'O' was replaced

2009

• Locomotive horns were silenced along Cornhusker Highway after the establishment of a quiet zone. Additional safety features were installed at four crossings, including raised medians and a wayside horn, to allow silencing of locomotive horns without compromising safety.