Roads and Bridges

The Harlan County Road Department is responsible for construction and maintenance of all roads, bridges, signs and culverts under our jurisdiction. The county has approximately 740 miles of road which 452 miles are gravel, and 51 bridges over 20′ in length.

Harlan County Road Department operates 8 grader routes; each operator has an average of 93 miles to their route. It takes approximately 16 work days to blade over their entire route.

Harlan County Road Department personnel are responsible for maintaining roads, sign’s, bridges, asphalt, equipment maintenance, snow removal, vegetation control and construction projects.

At present time we have 9 full time workers.

The County Road Department in Nebraska is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and improvement of all public roads, bridges, and culverts within its jurisdiction. This includes grading gravel roads, paving or resurfacing asphalt roads, clearing snow, repairing storm damage, and ensuring safe travel conditions year-round. Departments often develop and manage long-term infrastructure plans, such as the One- and Six-Year Road Plans, which outline current and future projects. They also coordinate with engineering firms for design work and may apply for state and federal funding to support large-scale improvements 

In addition to physical maintenance, the department handles administrative tasks like budgeting, safety inspections, and compliance with state regulations. They may also oversee dust control programs, manage right-of-way issues, and respond to public concerns about road conditions. Staff typically includes a highway superintendent, foremen, equipment operators, and office personnel, all working together to ensure the county’s transportation network remains safe, efficient, and cost-effective