A major West Omaha intersection is getting a makeover in 2019 and that will mean construction signs, barrels and cones. One property owner says it's going to hurt businesses in the area of 132nd & West Center Road.
The City of Omaha estimates 60,000 vehicles pass through the intersection every day. The city council unanimously approved a bid for $5 million to go forward with improvements. Omaha will pay $500,000 of that number and the rest will come from federal grants.
The project will include two left turn lanes and a dedicated right turn lane in every direction which should improve mobility and safety.
One property owner is upset they will have to close the left turn areas at 130th Avenue and one on 132nd street south of the intersection.
The city says improvements are a must.
"Desperately needed, since 2011 this intersection has been identified as one of the Top-10 crash-prone intersections of the city so it's really important for us that we were able to gain this federal funding and go out there and make improvements," said Gayle Sturdivant, Design Manager with Omaha Public Works.
The city has agreed to meet with the developer again to see if they have any new information that may change the decision.
Construction will begin in Spring 2019 and will finish in the fall.
