Meeting over southeast Nebraska’s Mopac Trail project becomes contentious

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Bicycling from the Platte River to Lincoln along the Mopac Trail currently requires on-road riding because of an eight-mile gap.

Before that part is finished, the indicators instruct passengers to follow a rough dirt path which can be challenging, even for seasoned bikers.

Mike McGee, a member of a local cycling club, rides area trails. The former police officer doesn’t like this route.

“This is designed for vehicular traffic and farm equipment,” said McGee. “Do people ride it? Yes, but it’s not the greatest environment to be riding.”

A natural resources district chose what staff believes is the best of four routes, which cuts across only three driveways. Lower Platte South NRD General Manager Mike Sousek promises the Cass County Board of Commissioners that taxpayers won’t be taken for a ride financially.

“To construct this project, we have a plan in place that will not require any taxes to be raised to do this,” said Sousek.

Judy Stroy, who lives near one of the proposed routes, says it’s not just about tax money.

“I’m not totally against the trail,” Stroy said. “i just want them to find the most feasible route that affects the least population going across driveways and stuff.”

So instead of approving the NRD trail connector, the county board appointed a subcommittee to take another look at all the proposed routes, which disappoints biking and walking club members.

“Delaying this is just going to bring up the same opportunities to ask the questions that have already been answered multiple times, so it’s time to move forward with Route D,” said Julie Harris of Bike Walk Nebraska.

Route D is the one that the NRD estimates will cost between $10-$15 million, with the state already setting aside $8.3 million. The rest of the money raised through pledges is being gathered by non-profit trail groups.

After leaving the board meeting, a contentious gathering between trail skeptics and supporters took place outside the courthouse.

“Have them pay for the whole damn route if they want it so damn bad,” said one opponent of the trail.

“Because the state of Nebraska wants the bike trail and they’ve already provided $8 million,” said Sousek.

Sousek told First Alert 6 that the $8.3 million from the state is locked in for the trail connector, so he says the delay shouldn’t cause the funding to be pulled by the legislature.