Fortifying the Streetcar: Harney Street Bridge Rebuild Closes I-480
This weekend, Interstate 480 in downtown Omaha will be closed and is closed in both directions from 9 p.m. Friday, May 30, to 6 a.m. Monday, June 2, to facilitate the installation of girders for the new Harney Street bridge. The previous bridge was demolished in February as part of the Omaha Streetcar project, which aims to enhance public transit infrastructure in the city.
The girders and associated construction.
The Harney Street bridge is being reconstructed to accommodate the weight and design requirements of the forthcoming streetcar system, scheduled to begin operations in 2028 . The Nebraska Department of Transportation had previously identified the bridge for replacement, but the streetcar project accelerated the timeline.
Detour routes are in place to guide traffic around the closure, but congestion is expected and collateral issues are hopes to be mitigated. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes, such as continuing on I-80 to 13th Street or taking I-29 through Council Bluffs to reconnect with I-480, and the Martha Street exit to enter the local area.
This reconstruction is part of a broader initiative to modernize Omaha's infrastructure and improve public transportation options, as proposed by the outgoing Stothert city administration. The new bridge will feature enhanced pedestrian elements, including wider walkways and bike paths, contributing to a more accessible and connected city.
The Harney Street bridge is being reconstructed to accommodate the weight and design requirements of the forthcoming streetcar system, scheduled to begin operations in 2028. The Nebraska Department of Transportation had previously identified the bridge for replacement, but the streetcar project accelerated the timeline.
Detours:
Drivers are encouraged to avoid the downtown corridor and use alternate routes:
Westbound detour: I-80 to 13th Street exit
Eastbound detour: I-29 to the I-480 ramp near Council Bluffs
Hyperlocal Routes: Martha Street, Dodge & Douglas Streets, Cumming Street.
Leavenworth and Farnam Streets will see high traffic counts.
This reconstruction is part of a broader initiative to modernize Omaha's infrastructure and improve public transportation options while stimulating the Midtown and Downtown redevelopment projects, which were approved by the Omaha city council and signed off by Mayor Jean Stothert. The new bridge will feature enhanced pedestrian elements, including wider walkways and bike paths, contributing to a more accessible and connected city, and sparking economic conditions for the urban core of Omaha.
Read More:
Civic Takeaway:
This bridge functions more than traffic flow. It is billed as a structural investment for Omaha’s future. But this investment has received scrutiny: Who benefits and who uses it, who is burdened, and who was heard?
