Road work on Omaha highway throws curveball at CWS traffic

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Reconstruction along the North Freeway in Omaha could throw a curve ball at traffic during the College World Series.

As part of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar project, several bridges along Highway 75 and parts of the highway itself are under renovation.

Drivers who normally use the Hamilton Street Bridge will be impacted the most.

“Hamilton Street Bridge is closed and will remain closed until this fall,” said Construction Engineer Barbara Gerbino-Bevin with the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The sidewalks are closed too. However, shuttle buses have been provided for pedestrians during certain hours.

“It will change positions every 15 minutes. If they’re walking to Hamilton, they’ll pass right by it,” Gerbino-Bevin said.

The Binney Street Bridge is also out, but not for long.

“Probably very shortly after the (sic) World Series,” Gerbino-Bevin said.

A few blocks north, westbound lanes of Ames Avenue are closed for two months. Parts of the highway itself are being resurfaced. That work usually causes lane closures at night.

However, during the CWS that work will take a time-out.

“Any of our interstate projects, I-480, I-80, they all have the same prevision that there shall be no lane closures while the college world series is in session,” said Gerbino-Bevin.

An alternative route is Cuming Street, an already busy main thoroughfare. Drivers willing to risk a bender could take 24th or 30th Streets.

Despite all the curve balls, officials with CWS aren’t worried.

“We’re ready,” said Amy Hornocker, the Executive Director of College World Series of Omaha Inc. " Should be no issues to get in and around the stadium.”

Hornocker says alternate means of transportation can help make it a home run.

“We work with metro, they have adjusted some of their routes with orbit and then their normal routes that come in and around the stadium,” Hornocker said. We also obviously have Uber and Lyft rideshare. If you’re in the downtown area, you can grab one of those scooters that get you closer to the park.”

For more information about traffic and road closures during CWS, click here.

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