Background
Map of railroad lines in 1975
At the time the RTSD was formed, there were five railroads entering the Lincoln area:
- Burlington Northern
- Union Pacific
- Missouri Pacific
- Chicago Rock Island and Pacific
- Chicago and Northwestern
The area impacted by these railroads and their crossings was initially divided into six corridors.
Initial Projects
Corridor A - Northwest Lincoln
- Remove Burlington Northern bridge over Oak Creek
- Consolidate Burlington Northern and Union Pacific Railroads
- Corridor 'A' work completed by Burlington Northern and Union Pacific in 1976, at a cost of $483,000
Corridors A-E (Corridor F not pictured)
Corridor B - West Lincoln
- Construct new trackage in Burlington Northern yard
- Close railroad crossings at West 'O' and West 'P' streets
- Corridor 'B' work completed in 1979
Corridors C - South Lincoln
- Consolidate Burlington Northern, Union Pacific and Rock Island railroads on double track on 3rd St.
- Remove Rock Island from center of Lincoln
- Construct viaducts on Van Dorn St. and 'A' St.
Corridor D - Northeast Lincoln
- Consolidate Burlington Northern, Chicago & Northwestern and Rock Island railroads near 27th St.
- Construct viaduct on 27th St.
Corridors C and D were modified in 1980 to include only grade separations on North 27th, "K", "L" and Van Dorn streets. In 2000, a pedestrian underpass was constructed at an "F" St. school crossing. In 2004 the "A" Street Viaduct was completed, and at grade crossings were closed on "A", "B", "C", "E" and "F" streets.
Eliminated Corridors
- Corridor E - East Lincoln
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- Consolidate MoPac Railroad with Rock Island Railroad
- Abandon Mopac Railroad
- Corridor F - South Lincoln
- *Not pictured on map
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- Relocate Burlington Northern - Nebraska City line to two miles south of Lincoln
- Abandon Burlington Northern line parallel to Highway 2.
Corridors E and F did not have a positive benefit/cost ratio and did not move ahead. In 1973 MoPac and Rock Island railroads ceased operations in Lincoln.
Timeline
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2000s
2000
Pedestrian underpass at "F" Street school crossing
Haymarket Bridge over BNSF
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.
"A" Street viaduct
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.
Harris Overpass
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1990s
1990
At grade crossings are improved with new signals, gates and crossing surfaces
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
10th Street viaduct and Haymarket pedestrian bridge
The Van Dorn viaduct was completed.
The 10th 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.
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1980s
1980
US-77 Viaduct
27th Street Viaduct
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 27th 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 56th St.
1985
NDOR completed the US 77 Viaduct.
1988
The "K" Street Connection was completed.
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1970s
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.
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1960s
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.
