Judge considering court order that would prevent viaduct demolition

HASTINGS, Neb. -- A judge in central Nebraska is considering whether to issue a court order that would prevent the city of Hastings from destroying the 16th Street Viaduct.

A group trying to save the viaduct filed a request in Adams County District Court this week, asking for a temporary restraining order, which would prevent the demolition until a lawsuit regarding a referendum is decided.

The group also filed a request to order the city to call a special election to allow Hastings voters to decide, again, the fate of the viaduct.

The city of Hastings has already filed suit against the group after they turned in enough signatures last month to call for a special election to overrule the city's decision to get rid of the worn-down bridge.

The city wants a judge to rule that the referendum petition exceeds the "scope of the people's referendum power" and therefore should be thrown out.

The street is currently closed as the city prepares for demolition.