Over the next six months, segments of the Keystone Trail will be closing due to the rehabilitation of 21 stormwater pipes by the Papio NRD. These closures will occur at various times throughout the project, and most are expected to last between four to six weeks. Closings for individual locations will be provided prior to the closing (and updated in this post), but users should anticipate disruption through May 2023. The areas in which the trail will be impacted can be seen on this interactive map, a graphic here, and are listed below.
Little Papio Channel/Levee Culvert (Pipe) Project
The northern portion of the Keystone Trail, between Q and Fort Streets, runs along the Little Papio Creek. Within the Little Papio Creek, there are many corrugated metal pipes that carry local stormwater into the channel that are nearing the end of their design life. As part of our duty as the local sponsor, the Papio NRD must remove and replace or rehabilitate these pipes to maintain adequate stormwater drainage throughout the City of Omaha.
The Little Papio Channel/Levee Culvert (Pipe) Project, which began in November 2022, includes the rehabilitation of 21 stormwater pipes. The Papio NRD has taken every effort to focus on rehabilitation of these pipes to minimize construction timelines and impacts to the construction areas. Regardless of the selected method of repair, trail accessibility will be impacted due to this project.
Trail Areas Impacted
- On Monday, May 1, a section of the Keystone Trail at Blondo Street was closed so the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District could undertake storm drainage improvements at this location on the trail. The trail will be closed through Wednesday, May 31, and should reopen to the public on Thursday, June 1. Trail users can leave or get back on the trail using the stairs on the north side of Blondo Street and use S. 85th Street to Western Avenue to Hillside Little League Park to get around the closed section of the trail. Note that because of the stairs, this is not an ADA accessible route. Questions regarding the work or the trail closure should be directed to Martin Cleveland at the Papio NRD at mcleveland@papionrd.org or 402-315-1707.
- Dodge to S.72nd Streets: The trail is closed to all trail users from just south of Dodge Street to just east of S. 72nd Street for storm drainage improvements by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. The trail will open to the public on Thursday, May 4. A suggested detour is to use the sidewalks along Dodge Street and S. 72nd Street. For additional information on the project contact Martin Cleveland at the Papio NRD at mcleveland@papionrd.org or 402-315-1707.
- South 72nd to Pacific Streets: The trail is closed to all trail users from just east of S. 72nd Street to just south of Pacific Street for storm drainage improvements by the Papio NRD. The trail will open to the public on Thursday, May 18. A suggested detour is to use the sidewalks along S. 72nd Street and Pacific Street. For additional information on the project, please contact Martin Cleveland at mcleveland@papionrd.org or 402-315-1707.
We appreciate your patience. We know how important the trail is to all its users.