Part of West 2nd Street reopening near Bert’s Pharmacy building in Hastings

HASTINGS, NE — Drivers in Hastings are regaining access to a major downtown road.

The City of Hastings announced Tuesday that it is reopening the south lane of West 2nd Street at Hastings Avenue. The road had been closed since Thursday evening out of concerns the fire-ravaged Bert’s Pharmacy building could collapse. City officials reported they had detected measurable movement in the building since the fire on March 13.

Now, the city says concrete barriers have been installed to protect the public from a possible building collapse while still maintaining a lane of traffic. Hastings Avenue from 3rd Street to 2nd Street will remain closed.

The city asks people to remain outside the barricades and to drive slow in the area. The future of the building is still unclear.