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6.06.02 Vote clears the way for river trail A vote Wednesday by the Metropolitan Utilities District was the last piece of the puzzle needed for work to move forward on a hiking-biking trail along Pershing Drive and the Missouri River. The M.U.D. board approved letting the city build the trail on the utility's property. The Omaha Public Power District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted similar easements earlier. The easements will allow a stretch of more than three miles to be built -- the first leg to be completed of the more than 100-mile Back to the River Trail, said Larry Foster, acting Omaha parks and recreation director. The trail will run along both sides of the river and will be joined by a bridge across the Missouri River. Construction is expected to start in late summer or early fall, with the section open next summer, Foster said. The section will run south from N.P. Dodge Park to OPPD property. Next year, work is expected to begin on the stretch that will continue south to Heartland of America Park. "We're looking forward to the trail," said Tom Wurtz, general manager for M.U.D. In light of the post-Sept. 11 realities, security personnel at M.U.D. examined the trail's route and determined that it posed no threat to water treatment facilities. The utilities and the corps will maintain ownership of their land but will allow the trail development free of charge. |
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