Sidney City Council asks for public input on addition to road project

SIDNEY, NE — The Sidney City Council wants to hear from its residents.

The town is looking for input on a certain aspect of a proposed road improvement project.

Council members are exploring having red, stamped concrete put on the medians of Link 17J during an upcoming repair of the highway.

Mayor Roger Gallaway says the city should take advantage of making the area more eye-catching to drivers coming off the interstate while they have the chance.

"Not only would it make it a more attractive venue drawing you toward town, it would also support those properties along there by 21st Century Equipment where we've struggled to get more development," Gallaway said.

Other council members like Burke Radcliffe and Joe Arterburn were against the idea, saying that it seemed to be a not worthwhile expense. Another concern is while it may draw people's attention and get them going down Link 17J, that doesn't mean they would turn onto Highway 30 to go to downtown Sidney.

The red, stamped concrete would add over $140,000 to the city's bill for the project. 

Sidney is already responsible for paying $2.2 million for the project. The $2.2 million is 20 percent of the entire project, which will cost over $12 million. The state is paying for the other 80 percent.

Sidney is required to pay a portion of the money since Link 17J passes through Sidney city limits.

A public input session to discuss the red concrete addition further on the agenda at the council meeting March 23 at 6:15 p.m. Residents can also contact the city offices to give their thoughts.

Work on the project is set to start in late March.