Sarpy County moves forward with major expressway project aimed at improving traffic and supporting future growth
Papillion, Nebraska – Sarpy County is preparing to launch a major road project that officials say will reshape travel patterns and open the door to future development in one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. The South Sarpy Expressway project, stretching west of 10th Street to 42nd Street near Platteview Road, is now moving forward, with construction expected to begin this spring.
The new four-lane expressway is designed to improve traffic flow for east-west travel, offering drivers a more direct and uninterrupted route across the county’s southern corridor. As growth continues to push outward, local leaders say the need for better infrastructure has become impossible to ignore, and this project is being positioned as a key step toward meeting that demand.
A project tied to growth and long-term planning
County officials describe the expressway as more than just a road. It is part of a larger vision aimed at supporting development that could reach into the billions of dollars. The southern portion of Sarpy County, which remains largely open, is seen as a major opportunity for expansion, both for residential communities and for businesses looking to establish a presence in the region.
To help manage traffic in multiple directions, the project will include an interchange at 36th Street. This feature will allow north-south drivers to either access the expressway using ramps or pass over it without interruption. The goal is to create smoother connections while reducing congestion and travel time.
“Sarpy County is once again paving new roads to transform the way drivers travel, this time in the southern corridor of the metro-area,” said Sarpy County Commissioner and Board Chair Don Kelly. “We’ve envisioned and workshopped this project for years – it’s a huge undertaking – and those efforts have paid off. We’re excited to get shovels in the dirt and start pouring concrete to improve the quality of life for residents, workers and business owners.”
The county has partnered with engineering firm HDR to handle the design work, while Hawkins Construction Company has been selected as the Construction Manager and General Contractor. On March 24, the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Hawkins that sets the guaranteed maximum construction cost at $62 million. Officials noted that the project has been budgeted without raising the county’s tax levy.
Construction timeline and approach
The expressway will be built over a period of about two years, with construction taking place in phases. Crews are expected to begin with grading work this spring, marking the first visible step in bringing the long-discussed project to life.
The early phase will also include building a permanent frontage road. This road will play a key role during construction by helping maintain traffic flow while work continues on the main expressway. Officials emphasized that access to homes and businesses in the area will remain open throughout the project, reducing disruption for residents and local operations.
Sarpy County is once again using the Construction Manager/General Contractor process, an approach that it was the first to apply to road construction in Nebraska after the Legislature approved the method in 2016. This system is designed to streamline planning and construction, helping reduce both costs and timelines.
“CM/GC delivery proved the right choice on the Connect Sarpy West Giles project, and we are thrilled to deploy it again on the South Sarpy Expressway in partnership with the county and HDR. Our team is ready and excited to delivery another successful project with huge economic impact,” said Chris Hawkins, President and CEO of Hawkins Construction Company.
County engineers also pointed to the broader impact of the project, noting how transportation planning connects directly to economic growth and daily life. “In a fast-growing county like Sarpy, strategic planning has a lasting impact on travel and economic development,” said County Engineer Zach Hergenrader. “Our team is excited to work with our partners on the expressway to ensure our road network meets current and future needs.”
The section between 10th Street and 42nd Street is just one part of a larger plan. The long-term goal is to create a continuous corridor linking U.S. Highway 75 near the Iowa border to Interstate 80 in Gretna. However, segments west of 42nd Street have not yet been designed or funded.
As construction prepares to begin, the project stands as a major investment in Sarpy County’s future, aiming to support growth while improving how people move across the region every day.
