Beginning next month, UNMC will make improvements to reduce congestion at the intersection of 42nd and Leavenworth Streets.
Turn lanes and left-turn signals will be added during a six- to nine-week process that begins July 5. Archie Carpenter, construction project manager for UNMC Facilities Management and Planning, recommends motorists avoid the intersection during that time, if possible, although lanes will remain open throughout construction. Completion is anticipated in early to mid-September.
The improvements include:
- Adding, at the northeast corner of the intersection, a right-hand turn lane going from westbound Leavenworth Street to northbound 42nd Street. This will take about three weeks.
- Adding, at the northwest corner of the intersection, a right-hand turn lane going from southbound 42nd Street to westbound Leavenworth Street, This will begin around July 25.
- Adding a left-hand turn signal for people going south on 42nd Street and wanting to go east on Leavenworth Street.
- Adding a left-hand turn signal for people going east on Leavenworth and wanting to go north on 42nd Street.
The improvements follow the swapping of land between UNMC and Charlie Graham, which has begun site work to relocate from the northwest corner of 42nd and Leavenworth to the southeast corner, a former UNMC parking lot.
“Adding turn lanes and left-turn signals will help the flow of traffic through this busy intersection,” Carpenter said, noting how approximately 20,000 vehicles flow through the intersection per day.
The Omaha Metro bus stop, currently on the northwest corner, likely will move across the street to the southwest corner, but details will be provided at a later date. In time, the existing Charlie Graham building will be razed and the area along either side of 42nd Street will become a landscaped entrance to UNMC.
Sidewalks will be impacted during each phase of construction, Carpenter said. Pedestrians should follow signs and take extra precautions when walking near the construction area.
I'm glad to see the addition of the left turn signal to go east on Leavenworth. It's been needed for a long time!
Charlie Graham is directly connected to 4230. Will the razing impact folks in that building?
I really appreciate all the upgrades, however, I wish you would install a left turn signal for people headed east on Leavenworth, needing to go north on 42nd. During peak times this is an issue. Too many near misses. Thank you for considering the additional request.
Long-term, it would be better to "skinny" Leavenworth to one lane each direction all the way from 60th street to the Old Market, with a center turning lane, and a bicycle lane. This has helped calm traffic from 60th to 55th but the street reverts to four lanes at 55th causing problems especially for west-bound drivers who forget to merge until the intersection is upon them. Once the enormous apartment complex at 51st and Leavenworth opens, we'll have no end of headaches with people trying to turn south across traffic unless a turn lane is in place.
Good news, Joan. The project will include adding a left-hand turn signal for people going east on Leavenworth and wanting to go north on 42nd Street. (We have added this information to the article above).