108th St - Safety Project (Road Reconfiguration)

The City of Omaha is advancing key recommendations from the Vision Zero Action Plan and Omaha’s Active Mobility Plan to reimagine a 1.4-mile segment of 108th Street, from Emmet Street to Ellison Plaza, as a safer, more inclusive transportation corridor. This street currently carries less traffic than it was originally designed for, making it a strong candidate for a redesign that better aligns with current usage patterns.

Traffic data from 2023 shows this stretch of 108th Street carries about 16,000 vehicles per day, well below the 25,000 vehicles-per-day threshold recommended by the Federal Highway Administration for considering road reconfigurations or ‘Road Diets.’ These traffic levels suggest the corridor is well-suited for a reconfiguration that can enhance safety and better serve all users.

The planned changes will remove the existing four-lane roadway markings and restripe the road for three lanes: two for through-traffic, a shared center turn lane, and new dedicated bike lanes. This update is intended to encourage slower speeds, reduce crashes and conflict points, improve transit access, and expand bike network connectivity—creating a safer, more efficient corridor for all users, without significantly impacting traffic operations.

Project Features

Improvements

Consistent Lane Configuration: A new two-lane layout with one travel lane in each direction and a center two-way left-turn lane. This will help reduce crashes, improve access to driveways, and shorten pedestrian crossing distances.
New Bike Lanes: 2.8 center lane miles of dedicated bike lanes to support safer, more accessible cycling.
Painted Curb Extensions: Installed at Fort St. and Emmet St. to slow turning vehicles and reduce crossing distances for pedestrians.
Reduced Speed Limit: Lowering the posted speed from 40 mph to 35 mph to enhance overall safety.
Improved Crosswalk Visibility: New high-visibility crosswalk markings at Emmet St. to improve pedestrian safety.