The Platte River Bridge Trail officially opened earlier this month, marking a milestone in regional connectivity and recreation for residents of Sarpy and Cass counties.
Local officials, community members and cycling enthusiasts gathered Aug. 3 to celebrate the completion of a project that has been two decades in the making.
The new bridge trail connects Sarpy County to Cass County along U.S. 34, just steps from Bellevue’s Falconwood Park.
“The initial work began when the highway bridge was reconstructed and the piers were widened to accommodate this project,†said Eric Williams, natural resource planner for the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District. “But at that time, the trail was not included with the highway construction. So there’s about a 10- or 15-year wait before we got back together at an initial meeting in January of 2017.â€
After years of planning and coordination, a design contract was signed in 2019, with Schemmer undertaking the design work and HDR managing environmental considerations. Construction commenced in February 2024, managed by Hawkins Construction, which Williams praised for its dedication to maintaining the project timeline.
“The expansion of trails is great for businesses along the trail and for all trail users,†said Michael McGee, president of the Bellevue Bicycle Club. “With this bridge, we don’t have to ride a bicycle amidst traffic anymore.â€
The new bridge, which cost about $3.6 million, with 80% funded federally and 20% locally, is expected to bring numerous benefits to the region.
Listen now and subscribe: | | | |
Nebraska is ranked 49th for bringing federal funds to support projects and programs.
“Evidently, Oklahoma was 10th, and that rubbed Gov. (Jim) Pillen the wrong way,†Williams joked. “He says we will never be rated below Oklahoma again, so we’re trying to get to at least ninth.â€
Among the event speakers was state Sen. Rita Sanders, who called the initial meeting for the bridge plan in 2017.
“You make it happen,†said Sanders addressing the bicycle enthusiasts and members of the Bellevue Bicycle Club. “We can have those meetings all we want, but we can’t make anything really happen unless we have your support.â€
As for the future, Williams says this is only the beginning. Looking ahead, there are plans to connect this trail to the wider regional network, offering even greater access to outdoor recreation and transportation alternatives.
With the bridge open just in time for last weekend’s Outlandia Music Festival at Falconwood Park, thousands are expected to explore this new link in the regional trail network, making biking more accessible not only for recreation, but also for commuting.
Local officials gather for the Platte River Bridge trail’s ribbon cutting on Aug. 3. People attending included members of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, BikeWalk Nebraska and the Bellevue Bicycle Club; representatives from the offices of Reps. Mike Flood and Don Bacon; Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike; and Nebraska State Sen. Rita Sanders.