Research
A Nebraska city built a road using 2 million plastic bags
Spring 2026
In South Sioux City, Nebraska, an innovative experiment is turning plastic waste into pavement. Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, city leaders, engineers, and construction partners teamed up to create Nebraska’s first road made with recycled plastic bags mixed into asphalt.
Follow the journey from floating plastic bags and shredded materials to laboratory testing, asphalt production, and the final paving of Foundry Road. Along the way, scientist Jamilla Teixeira and her research team test whether recycled plastics can improve road durability, reduce cracking, and help communities reuse waste materials in a smarter way
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Civil & Environmental Engineering News
About
The Civil and Environmental Engineering program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) was originally established as the Department of Civil Engineering in 1877. Today, we lead the College of Engineering in extramural research funding and boast the highest percentage of endowed professors in the College of Engineering. Our degree programs are offered in both Lincoln and Omaha.
Civil engineering is a top-10 emerging career for college graduates, designing and building the infrastructure that keeps our society running.
Civil and Environmental Engineering Scholarship Application
The department's scholarship application is now open for the 2026-2027 academic year. Undergraduate and graduate students in civil and environmental engineering are encouraged to apply for departmental scholarships. Apply before November 7, 2025.