The City of Omaha held a public meeting presenting the current plan for improving 120th St from Stonegate, south of W Maple, to Roanoke, almost to Fort St. Besides providing four through lanes on 120th north of West Maple, additional right of way will be purchased to provide double left turn lanes onto West Maple. Crosswalks will also be extended across West Maple on both sides of 120th.
In addition, the Big Papio Trail will run parallel to 120th on the east side from north of Old Maple to the Big Papillion Creek where it will go under the bridge and into Tranquility Park. See figure 4A and following starting on page 23 in the 120th Draft Environmental Assessment pdf at https://sites.google.com/a/cityofomaha.org/opw-50949—120th-street-stonegate-to-fort/draft-environmental-assessment-dea
I raised the question, “Where is the plan to connect the trail from 120th and W Maple to the end of the trail in Hefflinger Park?” I was directed to Dennis Bryers in Omaha Parks. I emailed Dennis about the connection plan and he wrote the following:
Thanks for the e-mail. We are planning to extend the Big Papio Trail north from Hefflinger Park sometime between Public Work’s two projects on N. 120th Street and West Maple Road. Project will consist of rebuilding the section of the trail in Hefflinger Park, construction/installation of a new pedestrian bridge across the side creek and extending the trail to connect to the section that Public Works is building as part of the N. 120th & West Maple Road work.
The West Maple bridge deck across the Big Papillion Creek is currently scheduled to be replaced in 2019 and would be the best time to bridge the trail across the creek and W Maple. The 120th St expansion is currently scheduled for 2021/2.
The timing for the trail between Hefflinger and 120th is dependent on getting three or four other trail projects completed. Though the portion of the trail attached to the West Maple bridge should be done during redecking, the side creek bridge and other sections will likely happen later. To see some of the other trail projects, go to https://parks.cityofomaha.org/parks/trails
If you want to express any concerns about the 120th St expansion, the Big Papio Trail extension to 120th, or appreciation for coordinating these projects for completion, please email:
Jon Meyer for 120th St: Jon.Meyer@cityofomaha.org
Dennis Bryers for Big Papio Trail to 120th: Dennis.Bryers@cityofomaha.org
Dale Rabideau
Mode Shift Omaha