HASTINGS, Neb. — The Hastings City Council has given approval to the Nebraska Department of Transportation to begin work on a project to reconstruct nearly 2.5 miles of a highway on the southeast edge of town. 

The decision did come with considerable debate among locals and council members. The main sticking point? A roundabout right here at South and Elm. 

“We still are going to have issues with the big semis coming through. I don’t think that the roundabout is going to solve all of that,” Rebecca Bruns of Hastings said.

“If the roundabout is going to be the deal, I hope we can have time to figure out how to utilize the new bypass and make trucks take that route,” Roger Coffman of Hastings said.

“There’s a better location for the roundabout. I’m not against the roundabout, I’m against the location of the roundabout,” Councilman Brad Consbruck said.

Consbruck made a motion to table the resolution to ask the state why it wants the roundabout at South and Elm and possibly to ask for a new design.

“We have one design that says South and Elm," Consbruck said. "I would like to know, as others would like to know, were there any other intersections that were considered? If not, why? Why South and Elm?”

His motion to table failed 4-3 and the resolution passed 5-3, with the decisive vote coming from Mayor Corey Stutte.

“The project is what the project is proposed to be," Stutte said. "The state wants the roundabout there, that’s where they want it. The discussion on a second roundabout, I think at J St. and Highway 6, is something that would be a separate discussion.”

The opposition to the roundabout largely stems from a perceived adverse impact on two Hastings staples: Big Dally’s Deli and Eldon’s Automotive. Big Dally’s owner Mike Bruns supports the project, but is hopeful for some changes. 

“What’s good for Hastings is good for us in the long run, we’re just hoping that we’re able to survive,” Bruns said. “The roundabout’s not my favorite thing for right in that location, however I think if they can tweak it just a little bit, moving it farther to the east and the south might work better for us.”

Stutte says the road work is needed because of damage to the surface, potholes, stormwater drainage problems and need for utilities improvements. The state will pay 80% and the city will pick up 20% of what could be a $40 million project.

“All these things being put together will be a benefit for our community," Stutte said. "It will be an economic development benefit, and it will certainly make the entrance into Hastings look a little bit nicer.”

Now that the project has approval, the next step is for the state to host a series of public meetings. The city expects the first to come in the next 3-4 months.