Cyclists are encouraged to utilize alternative routes depicted on the map below.

The bikeway will be funded independently from the Omaha streetcar, but the Omaha streetcar and Bikeway teams are working closely together to find efficiencies between the two projects.

Though philanthropic donations extended the life of the pilot project, closure of the temporary bikeway is needed to keep cyclists, workers, and pedestrians safe during utility relocations and construction of the Omaha streetcar. The most up-to-date streetcar information can be found at omahastreetcar.org.

The complete removal of the bikeway pilot project is needed to keep all corridor users safe. Construction activities are expected to occur over a six-month period. Closing the bikeway in segments would not adequately meet bicycle rider and vehicle driver expectations. This approach would ultimately disconnect cyclists from the facility intermittently, creating unsafe conditions. Additionally, restriping activities must occur in mild weather before winter, making it impractical to restripe parts of the bikeway after October.

The study team is looking at a variety of design options to provide a permanent​ ​solution that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to maintain, and is coordinated with existing and future features such as utilities, drainage, pedestrian crossings, parking, etc​​. The permanent bikeway design has been informed by usage data and feedback received from riders and other stakeholders during the pilot project. Improvements to safety and functionality are being incorporated alongside aesthetic enhancements such as landscaping, wayfinding, and public art.

The bikeway is funded through a combination of public and philanthropic dollars. While funds have been committed to build the basic elements of the protected bikeway, additional funding is needed to enhance the bikeway with further amenities and aesthetic improvements, such as landscaping, signage and public art.

The design of the bikeway, including the treatment options selected, will define how much the bikeway will cost. High-level estimates will be developed as part of the ​​​​ongoing design process.

The City of Omaha will handle common maintenance activities like snow removal, street sweeping, and pavement markings. Additional maintenance for amenities such as landscaping may require other funding sources. The study team is evaluating bikeway options that balance initial improvements with long-term maintenance requirements.

Much like The Riverfront parks that were closed for several years before reopening, major projects like the bikeway take time to complete. Designing and constructing the city’s first truly multi-modal corridor takes careful planning. Plans are to construct and open a new bikeway as soon as safely possible, in coordination with the remaining Omaha streetcar construction. The public will get their first look at the new bikeway taking shape during the construction of the Farnam bridge over I-480 in 2025 and 2026. The bikeway will be located on the south side of the Farnam Bridge.