BASSETT, Neb. - Work is set to begin on the Carns State Aid Bridge northeast of Bassett on March 10, weather permitting. The bridge was among 27 damaged in 2019 when historic flooding and extreme ice flows on the Niobrara River caused widespread destruction to roads and infrastructure across Nebraska. At the peak of the disaster, nearly one-third of the state-maintained road system was impassable.

“The damage to roads and bridges that we saw in 2019 was unimaginable, and we are glad to see the recovery efforts in Nebraska complete,” said NDOT Local Assistance Division Manager Jodi Gibson.

Located about 5.5 miles east of the Highway 7 bridge over the Niobrara River in Rock and Keya Paha counties, the Carns Bridge is the last emergency response project from the 2019 flooding to move into construction.

United Contractors has been awarded the project, which includes replacing the previous structure with an 850-foot concrete bridge and constructing a new road on both sides of the river. A detour will remain in place until the project is completed, which is expected in July 2026.