Hastings City Council approves series of road projects

HASTINGS, Neb. — Plans are in motion to extend a pair of streets in Hastings and make adjustments to another.

The city council voted unanimously Monday night to approve the transfer of a deed from Hastings Economic Development Corporation to the city for the property needed to extend 33rd Street to Utecht Avenue. The development corporation purchased the property to allow for the expansion. City Engineer Lee Vrooman said in Monday’s meeting that the expansion will help emergency services better navigate the area and will allow the already-platted area to fully develop. 33rd and Utecht is in northeast Hastings a couple blocks east of Pioneer Trail Flats apartments.

The council also unanimously approved the plans for extending Laird Avenue in northwest Hastings and to advertise for bids for the project. When completed, it will extend Laird Avenue from 14th Street to 17th Street. Bid opening will be March 15th and a related item will go back to council on March 27th.

Construction work will also be coming to East Highway 6. The council approved Heartwell Renewables to receive $500,000 from a state economic development program for turn-lane improvements near the company’s project site at US-6 and S Technical BLVD, which is just east of Central Community College. The improvements involve construction of 900’ of eastbound offset lane, restriping of existing striping to create a westbound turn lane into property, and a temporary paved exit lane. Heartwell is in charge of construction and has already bid the work out.