Sep 20, 2019

BNSF's unauthorized street closure snarls traffic

Posted Sep 20, 2019 6:55 PM

GRETNA, Neb. (AP) — Sarpy County officials say a railroad's unauthorized closure of a street near Gretna snarled traffic during the Friday morning commute.


A news release from Sarpy County says BNSF closed a section of 156th Street east of Gretna to make repairs at a railroad crossing. Railroad crews closed the street, even though the county's engineer had denied the railroad's request earlier this week to do so. The county says the request was denied because 156th Street was serving as s detour route for another nearby street that also was closed for construction.


The closures forced traffic onto another nearby street, causing severe backups and delays for thousands of drivers.

BNSF said Friday it made the decision to close the street after motorist complaints led an inspector to determine the crossing was unsafe and required immediate replacement. The railroad said the new crossing was expected to be open Friday afternoon.