Traffic Returns to Normal in Nebraska

Rural traffic has recovered from COVID-19 lows earlier in the year and has even surpassed historic averages, according to the case study supplied by the state of Nebraska.

1 minute read

August 17, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Rural Highway

marekuliasz / Shutterstock

"The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced that traffic volumes have returned to normal in all six categories that are being tracked to gauge the impact

COVID-19 on statewide traffic volumes," reports Karla James. 

The six categories of traffic include Rural Highways; Interstate 80 west of Lincoln; Omaha Streets and Highways; Lincoln Streets and Highways, I-80 Lincoln to Iowa, I-180, I-680, I-480; and Remaining Small Urban Streets & Highways. All of these categories have shown lower traffic than averages from 2016 to 2018 for a record 11 consecutive weeks until the first full week of August.

Nebraska's full COVID-19 Traffic Count Dashboard is still available online as traffic capacity returns to pre-COVID-19 levels in the state. 

Of particular interest from the data for August 2-8: rural highway traffic is up five percent from the 2018 to 2018 average. 


Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in KLIN

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

45 minutes ago - Washington State Standard

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive