Seward residents were invited to an open house Jan. 10 to learn more about the Seward Trail project. This project will complete a walking/biking trail around the city.
Seward residents were invited to learn more about the Seward Trail project at an informational open house Jan. 10.
The project will complete a walking/biking trail around the city of Seward.
According to information distributed at the meeting, the trail will be approximately five miles long, 10 feet wide and will complete the southern, western and northern portion of the trail loop. It will connect to the existing Plum Creek Trail on South Columbia Avenue.
Current plans have the trail crossing under both Highways 15 and 34. The trail will travel north along the east edge of the Seward County Fairgrounds.
At Waverly Road, the trail will turn east and run along the southern side of the road. It will meet the existing trail at Karol Kay Boulevard and Waverly Road.
At the open house, Seward City Councilmember Ellen Beck said she has concerns about the trail crossing at Highway 15 and Waverly Road. She also wants to ensure there is sufficient access to the trail for ambulances and wants the trail marked so rescue teams can find those in need of help more easily.
But overall, Beck said the city can talk about those issues and she thinks the trail is a great project.
In October, City Engineer Jake Vasa said the cost of the trail, an estimated $4 million, will be split. He said 80 percent of the costs will come from Federal Transportation funds, with the other 20 percent coming from the city and the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District.
Also in October, City Administrator Greg Butcher said because federal funding is involved in this project, it is highly regulated and the Nebraska Department of Transportation took the lead with the design.
Butcher said the city is working with BNSF Railway to create pedestrian crossings at the railroad.
Information distributed at the open house states that the project is in the preliminary design phase and is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2021.
In October, Butcher said the current trail is well-used in the city. With a completed loop, he expects to see it used more.
Once the loop is complete, the city plans to connect different areas with the trail. Butcher has described it as a wheel with spokes.
Information from the open house states some areas that could connect to the trail include Moffitt Park, Dowding Municipal Pool, the fairgrounds, Seward Middle School and the Plum Creek Sports Complex.
The information states the trail would fulfill a need to provide a safe route for pedestrians and bicyclists to access these amenities.
amanda@sewardindependent.com
