Linking Lincoln and Omaha with a hike-bike trail enters a new phase

LINCOLN — Construction of a long-sought recreation trail to connect Lincoln and Omaha moved a step closer following the final approval of a route through rural Cass County.

On a 14-4 vote, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, headquartered in Lincoln, approved a route for a 10-mile segment of trail that will connect the existing Mo-Pac Trail, which ends in Wabash, with the Lied Bridge that spans the Platte River.

The NRD’s approval came after the Cass County Board had given its blessing to the route, which was one of four explored by a consultant. The connector trail has been discussed for at least two decades.

“We’re thrilled. This is a big milestone that has been crossed,” said Julie Harris, the executive director of Bike-Walk Nebraska, a group advocating for recreation trails and biking safety.

The selected “Route D” extends the Mo-Pac Trail one mile east on an abandoned railroad line to a gravel road, 334th Street. Then the trail will extend northward to Kaiser Road, where the trail will veer one mile to the west, then north again on 322nd Road to link up with the Lied Bridge.

Supporters, opponents speak

At the Nov. 20 NRD meeting, Cass County residents gave both supporting and opposing testimony to the route. 

Theresa Johnson, whose family has a farm in the trail area, said Cass County residents preferred a route further east that passed through Murdock and by the Round The Bend Steakhouse. She said the route chosen will not benefit local businesses and called it an invasion of privacy for her family.

Marie Gregorie, another Cass County resident, said that many county residents support the trail and that the existing Mo-Pac Trail has generated business and fundraising opportunities for Elmwood, which hosts a summer “Pie Ride” fundraiser, and Eagle, where a regular “Nacho Ride” is held.

Others testified that fears of rural landowners often go away after the trail is built.

The consultant recommended the chosen route because it impacted the fewest residences — crossing only nine driveways compared to between 13 and 36 for the other four routes studied. The 10-foot-wide, crushed limestone trail will be built in roadside ditches, and is estimated to cost more than $15 million.

Will Inselman, a resource coordinator with the NRD, said the process now turns to the final design phase. He said that a design firm should be chosen by the time the NRD board meets in February. The final design may take a year or more, he said.

At least one Cass County landowner requested that the trail be moved to the other side of 334th Street to avoid crossing their driveway. Inselman said that will be considered in the final design process.

“There’s definitely going to be a fluid process,” he said.

The final design process will also provide a more accurate cost estimate for the project, Inselman said. NRD officials have said the $15.5 million estimate is probably high due to the addition of anticipated inflation and other contingencies. 

Private donations expected

The Nebraska Legislature allocated $8.3 million to build the connector segment in 2022, of which just under $8 million remains, Inselman said.

Private donations from advocates of hike-bike trails are expected to provide the final funds to build the trail, NRD officials have said. At the Nov. 20 meeting, it was mentioned that a donation of materials to build the trial is anticipated.

Harris, of Bike-Walk Nebraska, said that since the final approval of the route, her organization has fielded many calls from people willing to donate and help.

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

Harris said it will be a team effort with other recreation trail groups, such as the Nebraska Trails Foundation and the Great Plains Trails Network.

Providing a contiguous trail from Lincoln to Omaha is still not a reality since there is about a 2½-mile gap in Sarpy County, north of Springfield to Wehrspann Lake and the Chalco Hills Recreation Area. Bridging that gap has been planned by the Omaha-based Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District.