2026 Road Construction Season Set to Begin Across Southwest Nebraska

McCOOK, Neb. — Road construction season is ramping up across southwest Nebraska, with multiple projects planned throughout District 7 over the coming months.

According to Nebraska Department of Transportation officials, maintenance work is already underway, with crews focusing on crack sealing in several areas, including Highway 61 near Grant and Highway 17 south of Culbertson. Drivers should expect short delays of around 10–12 minutes in flagged work zones over the next few weeks.

Major Projects Planned

Several larger construction projects are scheduled to begin late spring and continue through summer and beyond:

• Highway 61 (Imperial north):

A resurfacing project stretching roughly 13 miles north of Imperial is expected to begin in late May or early June. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers, with delays of 10–15 minutes.

• Highway 34 (Max to Stratton):

This project includes asphalt work, bridge repairs, and a “road diet” through Stratton—reducing four lanes to two with a passing lane to improve safety. Bridge work will bring temporary width restrictions and short delays controlled by signals.

• Highway 6 (Oxford Junction to Holbrook, through Arapahoe):

Ongoing multi-year improvements will continue, including a full bridge replacement east of Arapahoe. This will bring extended width restrictions (down to 10–11 feet at times) and long-term traffic control lasting several months.

• West of McCook (Highway 6/34 corridor):

Additional bridge replacement work is planned later this year, continuing into 2027 as part of a larger corridor improvement project.

What Drivers Should Expect

• Flagging operations with 10–15 minute delays in many areas
• Temporary width restrictions, especially at bridges
• Occasional traffic signals controlling one-lane traffic
• Ongoing updates as projects shift locations throughout the district

Officials emphasize that while delays are expected, the improvements will result in smoother roads, safer travel, and updated infrastructure across the region.

Drivers are encouraged to stay updated through Nebraska 511 and plan ahead when traveling through construction zones.

As always: slow down, stay alert, and be patient.