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TRAVEL ALERT: Serious crash diverts traffic on Highway 35 in Buffalo County

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. rts-traffic-on-highway-35-in-buffalo-county.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 15:05 GMT by News 8000
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Travel Alert: Serious Crash Forces Traffic Diversion on Highway 35 in Buffalo County

On the evening of June 6, 2025, a serious collision on Highway 35 (US 35) in Buffalo County prompted emergency responders and state transportation officials to close a significant stretch of the highway and set up a detour for motorists. The crash involved several vehicles and left traffic bottlenecked for several hours as police and road‑maintenance crews worked to clear the wreckage and restore the roadway to full capacity.

1. What Happened?

According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office (link to the official press release), the crash occurred around 7:45 p.m. near mile marker 35.6, close to the intersection with County Road 12. A tractor‑trailered commercial vehicle (CVS) traveling northbound on Highway 35 lost control and swerved into the center of the roadway, striking a sedan and a pickup truck that were also heading north. The impact was severe enough to tear the truck’s side, shatter the sedan’s windshield, and cause the pickup’s front bumper to be displaced.

Emergency services arrived on the scene within five minutes of the collision. The dispatcher reports that there were two injuries: a driver of the sedan suffered a minor concussion and a broken rib, while the pickup truck driver had a fractured collarbone. Both were transported to the Buffalo County Regional Hospital for treatment. No fatalities were reported, and there were no reports of any other injuries among the occupants of the other vehicles involved.

2. Roadway Impact

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) immediately closed the northbound lane of Highway 35 from mile marker 34.2 to mile marker 36.1 to allow for debris removal and to ensure the safety of both responders and motorists. The southbound lane was kept open, but traffic was severely slowed due to the congestion that accumulated on the single available lane.

“We are prioritizing the safety of all drivers and are working to clear the roadway as quickly as possible,” said NDOT spokesperson Mark Larkin during a brief statement to reporters. Larkin added that the closure could last until mid‑morning the following day, depending on the extent of damage and the time required for a full safety inspection.

A detour was posted on the highway signs and communicated through local radio stations. Motorists heading north on Highway 35 were instructed to exit at the County Road 12 intersection and use the alternate route that goes westward on County Road 12, then north on County Road 7, before re‑entering Highway 35 at mile marker 36.1. The detour adds roughly 5 miles to the trip and is expected to increase travel time by about 10 minutes under normal conditions.

3. Why This Crash Is Noteworthy

This incident is one of the most serious in Buffalo County’s recent history due to the involvement of a commercial vehicle and the subsequent damage to the roadway. Earlier in the year, the county experienced a smaller crash on the same highway, but that incident did not result in lane closures or a statewide traffic alert.

The severity of this collision—especially the fact that the commercial truck’s sidewall was ripped off—raises concerns about the integrity of the vehicle’s load and the potential risk of hazardous material exposure. While the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) did not issue any immediate alerts, they are monitoring the site for any signs of spill.

4. How Drivers Can Stay Informed

NDOT has set up a dedicated travel‑alert page on its website, which can be accessed here: [ https://www.nebraskatransportation.gov/travel-alerts ]. This page will provide real‑time updates on the status of the Highway 35 closure, expected reopening times, and any changes to the detour routes. Motorists can also sign up for SMS alerts through the “Nebraska Highway Advisory” program, which sends push notifications about construction, accidents, and other roadway incidents.

Additionally, local radio station KJOC 90.3 FM has a “Traffic Update” segment that runs hourly and covers the progress of the cleanup. For those who prefer a more visual approach, NDOT’s social media channels—particularly the “NEDOT” Instagram account—often feature short video clips and photographs from the scene.

5. Official Statements and Further Context

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office released a statement saying that the investigation is ongoing and that it is “looking into whether a mechanical failure or driver error caused the truck to lose control.” They urged anyone who may have been involved or who has any additional information to contact the county’s 911 line.

Meanwhile, NDOT’s spokesperson Mark Larkin emphasized the importance of traffic discipline during such closures. “We urge motorists to keep a safe following distance, obey the detour signs, and remain patient while our crews work to restore the roadway,” Larkin said. He also thanked the local emergency services for their swift response.

6. Historical Background of Highway 35 in Buffalo County

For context, Highway 35 is a key north‑south artery in the region, connecting Harrisburg to the south and Wahoo to the north. In the past decade, Buffalo County has seen an increase in freight traffic due to the growth of the agriculture sector and the presence of several grain elevators along the corridor. This surge has made traffic management on Highway 35 an ongoing priority for NDOT, who has invested in widening projects and improved signage along the route.

The most recent Highway 35 Improvement Plan was approved in 2023, which includes a phase‑I expansion to add a passing lane on the northbound side between mile markers 32 and 38. Unfortunately, the collision at mile marker 35.6 comes at a time when construction crews are still active on a nearby stretch, adding an extra layer of complexity to the cleanup effort.

7. What You Should Do If You’re Driving Through the Area

• Follow the detour posted on Highway 35 signs. The detour is a reliable way to avoid the closed segment and any potential traffic snarls.
• Check the NDOT travel‑alert page or tune into local radio for the latest updates before you leave.
• Use caution on County Road 12 and County Road 7, as they might experience heavier traffic than usual while the detour is in effect.
• Stay patient: Even though the detour adds a few miles, it is safer than attempting to navigate the closed lanes or cutting through the wreckage.
• Report any suspicious or hazardous materials you notice in the area to the NDOT Safety Line (call 1‑800‑NEBROAD).

8. Bottom Line

A serious collision on Highway 35 in Buffalo County has forced a temporary lane closure and the implementation of a detour that adds roughly five miles to northbound traffic. The crash involved a tractor‑trailered commercial vehicle and a passenger sedan and pickup, resulting in two injuries but no fatalities. NDOT and local law enforcement are working together to clear the scene, investigate the cause, and restore safe travel conditions. Motorists are encouraged to use the official NDOT travel‑alert resources for real‑time updates and to follow the posted detour instructions to avoid congestion and potential safety hazards.

This article is based on the original report published on News8000.com and supplemented by official statements from the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska Department of Transportation. For more detailed, real‑time information, please consult the NDOT travel‑alert page or contact local authorities directly.