Sarpy County officials are addressing Friday morning's severe traffic congestion on 168th Street north of Highway 370 and working to address the issue as quickly as possible.
County officials say BNSF Railway closed 156th Street without their authorization. The closure forced additional traffic onto 168th Street, causing Friday morning’s congestion.
The county says it directed BNSF to reopen the road immediately. However, when Sarpy County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at the site, they discovered crews had already begun work on the railroad crossing, making it impassable for cars.
BNSF personnel at the site reported they would restore the crossing and open the road by rush hour Friday evening.
Earlier this week, BNSF requested permission to close 156th Street to repair their railroad crossing. However, the Sarpy County Engineer denied the request because 156th Street serves as a detour route for the Harrison Street expansion project.
"We understand this unauthorized closure caused confusion and delay for thousands of drivers in the area. The Sarpy County Board has already reached out to BNSF leadership to address the issue."