Lincoln City Council approves Vision Zero safety plan, infrastructure projects

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Lincoln City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive traffic safety initiative and several infrastructure improvements during a March 16 meeting, according to city council agendas and minutes.

The council voted 7-0 to approve the Vision Zero Action Plan, which represents a local initiative, part of the national Vision Zero campaign to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries. City officials are aiming to reduce serious injury crashes in Lincoln by 60% and eliminate traffic fatalities by 2045.

The plan includes four key components: Safer Streets to build on proven design and operational strategies; Safer Mobility ensuring the transportation system is safe for all users; Safer People focusing on education and enforcement for safe user behaviors; and Safer Outcomes to monitor progress.

The council also moved forward with engineering work for two major street improvement projects. They approved a professional services agreement supplement with Olsson for the 84th Street and College Park Drive traffic signal project. This project will replace traffic signal poles and related infrastructure at the intersection of 84th Street and College Park Drive and reconstruct curb ramps to meet current standards. The council similarly approved a supplemental agreement with Alfred Benesch & Co. for Adams Street improvements from 36th Street to 49th Street.

In other business, the council approved several liquor license applications, including a Class IK liquor license for ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment Services operating UNL Outdoor Track & Field at 1620 Transformation Drive. The council voted to approve licenses for Tranquility Salon and Spa and set hearing dates for three additional liquor license applications scheduled for March 30.

The council also approved an interlocal agreement with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to provide dental services to youth referred from the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center-Lincoln, and adopted revisions to Administrative Regulation #20.