Connecting Lincoln and Omaha with a bike trail enters a new phase

LINCOLN, Nebraska ((Nebraska Examiner) – Construction of a long-awaited recreation trail that will connect Lincoln and Omaha has moved a step closer with final approval of a route through rural Cass County.

By a 14-4 vote, the Lower Platte Southern Natural Resources District, headquartered in Lincoln, approved the route of a 10-mile section of trail that will connect the existing Mo-Pac Trail, which ends in Wabash, with the Lead Bridge, which crosses the Platte River.

NRD approval came after the Cass County Council gave its blessing to the route, which was one of four the consultant studied. A connecting route has been discussed for at least two decades.

“We are delighted. This is a big milestone that has already been passed,” said Julie Harris, executive director of Bike-Walk Nebraska, a group that advocates for trails and cycling safety.

The selected “Route D” extends the Mo-Pac Trail one mile east from the abandoned railroad line to the gravel road at 334th Street. The trail will then continue north to Kaiser Road, where the trail will turn west one mile and then north again on Route 322 to connect with the Lead Bridge.

Supporters, opponents say

At the Nov. 20 NRD meeting, Cass County residents testified both in support and opposition to the route.

Teresa Johnson, whose family has a farm in the trail area, said Cass County residents prefer the route further east, which goes through Murdoch and past the Round The Bend Steakhouse. She said the route taken would not benefit local businesses and called it an invasion of her family’s privacy.

Marie Gregory, another Cass County resident, said many county residents support the trail and that the existing Mo-Pac Trail has created business and fundraising opportunities for Elmwood, where the Pie Ride fundraiser is held in the summer, and Eagle, where regularly “Nacho Ride”.

Others testified that rural landowners’ fears often go away once the trail is completed.

The consultant recommended the selected route because it affected the least number of residences: it crossed only nine access roads, compared to 13 to 36 on the other four routes studied. The 10-foot-wide crushed limestone trail will be built in roadside ditches and will cost more than $15 million.

Will Inselman, NRD resource coordinator, said the process is now moving into the final design phase. He said a design firm should be selected by the time the NRD board meets in February. The final design could take a year or more, he said.

At least one Cass County landowner has asked that the trail be moved to the other side of 334th Street to avoid crossing an access road. Inselman said that will be factored into the final design process.

“The process will definitely be smooth,” he said.

The final design process will also provide more accurate project cost estimates, Inselman said. NRD officials said the $15.5 million estimate is likely high due to expected inflation and other unforeseen circumstances.

Private donations expected

The Nebraska Legislature has allocated $8.3 million for construction of the connector segment in 2022, with just under $8 million remaining, Inselman said.

Private donations from supporters of the walking bike trail are expected to provide the final funds to build the trail, NRD officials said. At the November 20 meeting, it was mentioned that donations of materials to build the test were expected.

Harris, of Bike-Walk Nebraska, said that since the route was finalized, her organization has received many calls from people wanting to donate and help.

“It won’t be a big lift,” she said of raising the necessary funds for the connecting trail.

Harris said it will be a joint effort with other recreational trails groups such as the Nebraska Trails Foundation and the Great Plains Trails Network.

Providing a continuous trail from Lincoln to Omaha is still unrealistic, as there is a gap of about 2.5 miles in Sarpy County, north of Springfield, to Lake Verspann and the Chalco Hills Recreation Area. Bridging this gap was planned by the Omaha-based Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District.

Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. If you have questions, please contact editor Kate Folsom: [email protected]. Follow the Nebraska Examiner at Facebook And X.

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