:Interstate 180 (Nebraska)

File:Interstate 180 - Nebraska (14253407437).jpg

I-180 begins at R Street in downtown Lincoln as a continuation of North 9th Street and North 10th Street, a pair of one-way streets which carry the southbound and northbound lanes of US 34, respectively.{{cite map |year=2017 |title=Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska |url=https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/3007/lincoln-all.pdf |publisher=Nebraska Department of Transportation |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The four-lane freeway carries I-180 and US 34 northwest over a three-track railroad, skirting the western side of the University of Nebraska campus and passing near Memorial Stadium (home to the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team) and Pinnacle Bank Arena. It continues north between Haymarket Park to the west and residential areas to the east, crossing over Salt Creek and under US 6 near Oak Lake. After crossing Oak Creek, I-180 reaches an interchange with Cornhusker Highway that provides access to US 6 and the Belmont neighborhood.{{google maps |title=Interstate 180 |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.81591,-96.7069786/40.8626185,-96.7160257/@40.8375357,-96.7248055,6766m/am=t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0 |access-date=October 8, 2021}}

The freeway bisects Max E. Roper Park, which lies between residential neighborhoods in West Lincoln and Belmont along a small stream. I-180 then intersects Superior Street before reaching its terminus at a cloverleaf interchange with I-80 and US 77 near Lincoln Airport. US 34 continues northwest from the interchange on a four-lane divided roadway named the Purple Heart Highway.

As a component of the Interstate Highway System, the entirety of I-180 is listed as part of the National Highway System, a national network of roads identified as important to the national economy, defense, and mobility;{{cite map |date=October 1, 2020 |title=National Highway System: Lincoln, NE |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/nebraska/lincoln_ne.pdf |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The freeway is maintained by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), which conducts an annual survey of traffic volume that is expressed in terms of annual average daily traffic (AADT), a measure of traffic volume for any average day of the year. Average traffic volumes on the highway in 2018 ranged from a minimum of 30,310 vehicles at its northern terminus with I-80 to a maximum of 33,410 vehicles south of Cornhuskers Highway.{{cite map |title=Annual Average Daily Traffic Flow |url=https://gis.ne.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bb00781d6653474d945d51f49e1e7c34 |publisher=Nebraska Department of Transportation |access-date=October 8, 2021}}

File:Lincoln, Nebraska 1955 Yellow Book.jpg plan, showing a north–south spur route]]

In its 1955 plan for a national system of grade-separated superhighways, the federal Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) recommended an east–west corridor bypassing Lincoln with a north–south spur connecting it to the city center.{{cite book |year=1955 |title=General Location of ⁠National System of Interstate Highways |page=53 |publisher=Bureau of Public Roads |oclc=4165975 |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/General_Location_of_National_System_of_Interstate_Highways |via=WikiSource |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The plan later formed the basis of the Interstate Highway System, which was approved by Congress through the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956.{{cite journal |last=Weingroff |first=Richard F. |year=1996 |title=Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956: Creating The Interstate System |journal=Public Roads |volume=60 |issue=1 |url=https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/summer-1996/federal-aid-highway-act-1956-creating-interstate-system |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The north–south spur, later numbered I-180, was planned to generally follow the 10th Street corridor in downtown Lincoln and would include the replacement of a bridge crossing the city's northern railyard as well as a pair of one-way streets.{{cite news |date=August 6, 1956 |title=City Urged to Plan for Interstate Route |page=1 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760024/city-urged-to-plan-for-interstate-route/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Snodgrass |first=Del |date=August 30, 1956 |title=Connection of 9th, 10th With Interstate Highway Waits City Right of Way |page=2 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86707418/connection-of-9th-10th-with-interstate/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The freeway would have three interchanges at Oak Street (now Cornhusker Highway), Superior Street, and I-80.{{cite news |date=February 27, 1957 |title='Clovers' to Connect Lincoln, Interstate |page=5 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760131/clovers-to-connect-lincoln-interstate/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 10, 2021}}

The city council and Nebraska Department of Roads (now NDOT) studied seven routes drawn by planning consultants for I-180 in 1958. The city proposed a connection further west on 7th Street, which the state highway engineer opposed due to its higher cost, whereas the state and BPR preferred a route along 9th and 10th streets.{{cite news |last=Falloon |first=Virgil |date=May 28, 1958 |title=Ress Doesn't Like Lincoln's Interstate Connection Plans |page=1 |work=The Lincoln Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760279/ress-doesnt-like-lincolns-interstate/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |date=July 11, 1958 |title=Interstate Access Route Proposal 'Ready Soon' — Martin |page=7 |work=The Lincoln Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760305/interstate-access-route-proposal-ready/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Scherer |first=Leo |date=August 7, 1958 |title=9th, 10th Probable Interstate Accesses |page=1 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760163/9th-10th-probable-interstate-accesses/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} Governor Ralph Brooks imposed a January 1, 1960, deadline for a routing decision in lieu of a proposed deferral of planning funds for the project.{{cite news |last=Scherer |first=Leo |date=December 22, 1959 |title=Lincoln Access Route Gets Council Approval |page=1 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760177/lincoln-access-route-gets-council/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |date=November 10, 1959 |title=Fund Switch Apparently Surprises Officials Here |page=2 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760472/fund-switch-apparently-surprises/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The city council approved the state's route using 9th and 10th in December 1959, but modified the preferred route a year later to veer west from downtown and avoid properties along 10th Street at the request of the University of Nebraska Regents.{{cite news |date=December 7, 1960 |title=Different Access Route Is Studied |page=21 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86760099/different-access-route-is-studied/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |date=November 13, 1960 |title=Access Route Could Be Changed—But |page=B1 |work=Lincoln Journal and Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883668/access-route-could-be-changed-but/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 10, 2021}}

Construction of I-180, also named the Lincoln Access Highway, began in 1961 and was estimated to cost $7.068 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|7068000|1961}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars),{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} with completion set for December 1962.{{cite news |date=August 6, 1961 |title=Lincoln's Front Door Opening |page=B7 |work=The Lincoln Journal and Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86705942/lincolns-front-door-opening/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} By the end of 1962, damp weather and a strike by a local engineers' union slowed construction of the freeway, particularly the bridges over the Lincoln railyard.{{cite news |date=April 27, 1963 |title=Lincoln Access Highway Should Be Open by July 1 |page=6 |work=The Lincoln Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706018/lincoln-access-highway-should-be-open/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The northern section between Oak Street and I-80 opened to traffic on July 27, 1963, one month before the start of the Nebraska State Fair.{{cite news |date=July 28, 1963 |title=Interstate 180 Access Given Heavy Tryout |page=B1 |work=The Lincoln Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706053/interstate-180-access-given-heavy-tryout/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |date=August 25, 1963 |title=Interstate 180 Will Speed Fair Traffic |page=F6 |work=The Lincoln Journal and Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706087/interstate-180-will-speed-fair-traffic/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} U.S. 34 was later realigned onto I-180 in late 1963 after a new highway bypassing the Lincoln Air Force Base (now Lincoln Airport) opened to traffic.{{cite news |date=October 5, 1963 |title=Old U.S. 34-State 2 Gets New Location, New Look November 1 |page=5 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706108/old-us-34-state-2-gets-new-location/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}

The southern section from 9th Street to Oak Street opened to southbound traffic on December 11, 1963, with weighted oil drums in place of guardrails awaiting installation.{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=Ron |date=December 11, 1963 |title=Southbound Lanes of 180 Are Opened Into Lincoln |page=8 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706135/southbound-lanes-of-180-are-opened-into/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The opening was made feasible through the use of temporary asphalt in place of concrete amid the cold weather, as well as leaving the shoulders unpaved until asphalt could be laid.{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=Ron |date=December 1, 1963 |title=Workmen, Weather Race on Interstate |page=B1 |work=The Lincoln Journal and Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706115/workmen-weather-race-on-interstate/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The northbound lanes opened for traffic on January 15, 1964, marking the completion of I-180.{{cite news |last=Kreifel |first=Bill |date=January 15, 1964 |title=10th and R Interstate 180 Leg Cuts Commuters' Travel Time |page=1 |work=Lincoln Evening Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706217/10th-and-r-interstate-180-leg-cuts/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The new freeway led to residential development north of the city, particularly in the Belmont neighborhood.{{cite news |last=Kreifel |first=Bill |date=January 26, 1964 |title=Interstate, New Building Interests Revive Belmont Dream |page=F5 |work=The Lincoln Journal and Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706522/interstate-new-building-interests/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}

The southern section of I-180 was rebuilt by the state government during a multi-year project in the late 1990s to replace the viaducts in downtown Lincoln with modern bridges with full-sized shoulders and a lower slope at a cost of $15 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000000|1997}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}{{cite news |date=April 29, 1997 |title=Construction on I-180 well ahead of schedule |page=B1 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706694/construction-on-i-180-well-ahead-of/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Laukaitis |first=Al J. |date=May 29, 1998 |title=Workers end I-180 work months early |page=B1 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706762/workers-end-i-180-work-months-early/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The project and its proposed detours on local streets were opposed by the downtown chamber of commerce, who feared its negative effects on business access.{{cite news |last=Russo |first=Ed |date=January 30, 1996 |title=I-180 downtown detours are final, state officials say |page=B1 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706576/i-180-downtown-detours-are-final-state/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The southbound lanes closed on December 1, 1996, following the end of the 1996 football season to prevent disruption around home games for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.{{cite news |last=Stoddard |first=Martha |date=November 18, 1996 |title=Inbound I-180 set to close |page=A1 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706590/inbound-i-180-set-to-close/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Schulte |first=Erin |date=November 14, 1996 |title=Construction blueprints to better highway, campus |page=8 |work=The Daily Nebraskan |url=https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1996-11-14/ed-1/seq-8/print/image_615x817_from_1895,0_to_5120,4279/ |via=Nebraska Newspapers |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The new southbound bridge opened on June 10, 1997,{{cite news |date=June 11, 1997 |title=I-180 reopens earlier than announced |page=B6 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706666/i-180-reopens-earlier-than-announced/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} having been completed 61 days ahead of schedule by contractor Hawkins Construction, who earned a $1.2 million bonus.{{cite news |last=Steinbach |first=Chris |date=June 10, 1997 |title=I-180 to reopen 2 months early; workers get bonus |page=A1 |work=Lincoln Star Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706681/i-180-to-reopen-2-months-early-workers/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} The northbound viaduct was closed on November 16, 1997,{{cite news |last=Harrell |first=Ann |date=November 12, 1997 |title=Bridge building, Part II slated to begin Sunday |page=A1 |work=Lincoln Star Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706735/bridge-building-part-ii-slated-to/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}} and its replacement opened on May 28, 1998. The project was completed 72 days ahead of schedule by Hawkins Construction, who earned another bonus.

The Oak Creek bridge and interchange with Cornhusker Highway were rebuilt from 2001 to 2003 by the state government at a cost of $12 million. Construction was briefly delayed due to the discovery of nesting cliff swallows, a protected migratory bird species, under the old bridge in June 2003, which prevented demolition work from continuing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted permission to remove the cliff swallow nests, along with others found belonging to barn swallows and common grackles, preventing a month-long work stoppage. The project replaced the existing northbound bridge with a widened roadway and moved a ramp at the interchange to improve traffic flow.{{cite news |last=Jenkins |first=Nate |date=June 26, 2003 |title=Nesting birds, delayed work |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706839/nesting-birds-delayed-work/ A1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706840/nesting-birds-delayed-work-part-2/ A2] |work=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706839/nesting-birds-delayed-work/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2021}}

{{jcttop|exit|state=NE|county=Lancaster|location=Lincoln|length_ref=}}

{{NEint|exit

|mile=3.47

|mspan=2

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|road={{jct|state=NE|US|34|dir1=east|name1=9th Street|road|R Street}}

|notes=At-grade intersection; one-way street, southbound entrance; southern terminus of I-180; south end of US 34 overlap; highway continues as US 34

}}

{{NEint

|mile=none

|type=concur

|road={{jct|state=NE|US|34|name1=10th Street|road|S Street}}

|notes=At-grade intersection; one-way street, northbound exit; southern terminus of I-180; south end of US 34 overlap}}

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|mile=2.05

|exit=2

|road={{Jct|state=NE|US|6|to1=6|road|Cornhusker Highway|location1=Lincoln Airport}}

|notes=Former {{jct|state=NE|US|77|noshield=yes}}

}}

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|exit=1

|road=Superior Street

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|road={{Jct|state=NE|US|34|dir1=west|I|80|US|77|name1=Purple Heart Highway|city1=Omaha|location2=Lincoln Airport|location3=Air Park}}

|notes=Northern terminus of I-180; north end of US 34 overlap; exit numbers based on I-80 mileage; signed as 401C (west) and 401D (east); highway continues as US 34 (Purple Heart Highway)}}

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{{Reflist}}

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{{Commons category|Interstate 180 (Nebraska)}}

• [http://www.kurumi.com/roads/3di/i180.html#180ne Kurumi.com: Interstate 180]
• [http://www.nebraskaroads.com/roads/iroutes/i180.html Nebraska Roads: I-180]

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80-1 Nebraska

80-1

1 Nebraska

Category:Transportation in Lincoln, Nebraska

Category:Transportation in Lancaster County, Nebraska

Category:U.S. Route 34