Niobrara Highway (N-12) Rehabilitation — Knox County, Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) advanced the Niobrara Highway project to rehabilitate two segments of Nebraska Highway 12 (N-12) located east and west of the Village of Niobrara in Knox County. The project focused on improving roadway reliability, safety, and long-term performance while bringing the corridor up to current NDOT design standards for a major arterial route between Verdel and Santee Spur, Nebraska. A key driver of the project was the ongoing risk of Missouri River flooding, which has historically damaged the highway and disrupted regional connectivity.

NDOT hired ICE Teams to provide independent cost estimating, scheduling, and risk management services under the CM/GC delivery method. ICE Teams prepared production-based cost estimates and construction schedules, performed various cost analysis, facilitated risk workshops, and maintained the project risk register. The team also provided detailed constructability reviews and collaborated closely with NDOT to evaluate alternatives and optimize project delivery.

ICE Teams played a critical role in evaluating resilient design and construction strategies to address flood vulnerability along the corridor. The team analyzed alternatives like  elevating roadway segments and stabilizing embankments to reduce long-term risk exposure while maintaining constructability and cost efficiency. Through proactive risk identification and contractor-focused estimating expertise, ICE Teams helped NDOT make informed decisions that balanced initial construction costs with long-term performance, reliability, and lifecycle value.