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Work to begin on rebuilding Nebraska road leading to shrine

GRETNA, Neb. (AP) — Work will soon begin to fix an eastern Nebraska road that leads to a religious shrine.

Omaha World-Herald reports that the Sarpy County Board approved a $438,000 construction bid from High Plains Enterprises to rebuild Pflug Road last week. The county engineering office had originally estimated that the project would cost around $900,000. The road is being pulled apart by erosive soil and has been closed since last summer.

The rural road leads to the Holy Family Shrine near Gretna. Shrine caretaker Matt Sakowski says attendance has dropped about 25 percent since the road's closure. The glass-walled shrine had 40,000 visitors in 2016. The attraction relies on contributions from visitors.

Work will begin when the weather is warmer. Officials expect the road to reopen in the spring.

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