Kelley Creek Trail Project wins funding

LINCOLN--McCook's Kelley Park Trail was awarded $140,886 as part of more than $6 million designated for 21 projects to be funded under the Nebraska Department of Roads Transportation Enhancement Program.

The Orleans Flag Creek Bridge Restoration project also was funded to the tune of $5,843 and the Nebraska Lied Main Street Program received $100,000 to be funded on a competitive basis among participants.

"Many positive things have been accomplished and continue to benefit Nebraska as a result of the Transportation Enhancement Program," said John Craig, director of the Nebraska Department of Roads.

"Since 1933, the Department of Roads has supported more than 700 transportation enhancement projects across the state," he said. "These projects are making a significant contribution to the quality of life in Nebraska communities -- from the smallest village to the largest city."

The City of McCook's $140,886 grant is for engineering and construction of a half-mile bicycle-pedestrian trail. It is the first phase of the city's 13.2-mile Trail System Master Plan.

This first phase begins near McCook Community College and McCook Municipal Swimming Pool, and ends near Community Hospital.

The trail follows Kelley Creek, traveling near residential areas, the Broken Tee Golf Course and the Republican River Events Center.

There is a $35,222 local match.

The Village of Orleans was awarded $5,823 for structural and aesthetic repairs on the historic Flag Creek Bridge. Constructed in 1924, the Flag Creek Bridge is on the route of the former Goldenrod Highway," promoted in the 1920s and '30s as a direct route from Nebraska City to Denver. The bridge is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Transportation enhancement funds will be used to repair four concrete lampposts, install new globes and repair spalled concrete on the north parapet wall. The Village of Orleans is providing a local cash match of $647.

Enhancement dollars have been spent in one of every three Nebraska communities.

The Transportation Enhancement Program, part of the federal highway bill, provides funding to local, state and regional governmental entities to construct and restore transportation infrastructure that are not eligible to be funded through other programs.

Examples of transportation infrastructure projects that are eligible under this program include non-motorized facilities for pedestrians and bicycles, development of scenic byways, restoration of historic transportation facilities and other projects directly related to the historic, current or future transportation infrastructure.

Other projects include the Statewide Arboretum, the Cowboy Trail surfacing program from Arabia Ranch to Johnstown and Ainsworth to Johnstown, the MoPac Trail Bridge in Lincoln, Humbolt Brick and Historic Lighting, the Lexington Trail, Nebraska Historical Highway Marker Repairs, Pleasanton Depot Restoration, Bancroft Neihardt Trail, Dakota City Depot renovation, Wayne Downtown Historic Renovation, Rushville Pedestrian /Bicycle Trail, Plainview Downtown Historic Renovation, Aurora Downtown Historical Lighting, Chappell Trail, Winnebago Thunder Way Trail, North Loup Popcorn Path, Blair Dana Trail, Sidney Deadwood Trail, Fort Kearny Trail and Bridge Rehabilitation, Papillion Midland Creek Trail, Platte County Monastery Trail, Beatrice YMCA Trail and Wahoo Trail.