Rep. Bacon, Mayor Stothert join Dr. Gold to update walkway project

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, was joined by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert on Friday as the trio updated plans for two pedestrian/bike walkways that will increase accessibility to UNMC’s Omaha campus.

With the backing of Rep. Bacon, the City of Omaha recently received $2 million from the federal Department of Transportation to support construction of the planned pedestrian walkway over Saddle Creek Road.

The funding will be added to a federal grant received by the city in 2023, as well as funding from UNMC, which will support not only the construction of the bike/pedestrian walkway over Saddle Creek Road, but an additional walkway over Leavenworth Street, from the Field Club Trail’s trailhead onto the medical center campus near the Lauritzen Outpatient Center.

The walkways are part of ongoing campus improvement projects that UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, said will bring an economic boost to the city.

“Additionally, these walkways will enhance pedestrian safety and improve traffic flow,” Dr. Gold said. “We are excited about this project, which will make it easier to walk or bike onto campus, and we thank Congressman Bacon and Mayor Stothert for their support of this effort.”

“The area encompassing UNMC, the Saddle Creek project and surrounding neighborhoods is flourishing, and many people there take advantage of the ability to walk or bike throughout the area,” Rep. Bacon said. “This pedestrian bridge will ensure the safety of walkers and cyclists who need to cross Saddle Creek Road.”

“These walkways will improve safety and connections to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the neighborhoods surrounding the campus,” Mayor Stothert said. “This is another example of how we use our Vision Zero strategy to improve road safety and design to protect all users of the road.”

Dr. Gold said UNMC is working with the city on an agreement for maintaining the walkways, which would eventually need to be reviewed and approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and the city.

“As a team, we’re excited to extend the Omaha bikeway/pedestrian walkway connection through our campus and help safely get walkers and cyclists across two major streets,” Dr. Gold said. “This marks the latest step in a process to enhance safety and convenience. We are happy to be launching it as we try to become a more pedestrian and bike-friendly campus. As the UNMC Omaha campus evolves, our goal is to be a good neighbor, and this effort is an important part of that.”