[dsrich98]

Originally Posted by formeromaharesident

Oh, no, no, no. I wouldn't dream of seeing those attractions destroyed. Yes, everyone's concerns are legitimate, but what I had in mind was the path that that I-480 and Highway 75 (as the Kennedy Freeway and then the North Freeway) follow.

As I recall, when they were built, the Zoo and the Old Market weren't destroyed.

In that case I guess they've built freeway access to the area of omaha that one would want to visit. Sure it's a few miles off of I-29, but I-29 bisects the Omaha/CB metro so it can serve both. Originally I suppose it seems that they were just going around Omaha with I-29 but now there are a number of attractions in CB that I-29 serves as well.

[formeromaharesident]

Originally Posted by dsrich98

In that case I guess they've built freeway access to the area of omaha that one would want to visit. Sure it's a few miles off of I-29, but I-29 bisects the Omaha/CB metro so it can serve both. Originally I suppose it seems that they were just going around Omaha with I-29 but now there are a number of attractions in CB that I-29 serves as well.

Like what?

[DTO Luv]

All of the casinos for one. That right there is enough.

[formeromaharesident]

I suppose that's true.

[dsrich98]

Originally Posted by formeromaharesident

Like what?

Not only the casino's, Mid-America Center as well, Bass Pro Shops, probably a few other things as well.

[formeromaharesident]

Originally Posted by dsrich98

If they had plowed that through Omaha it would have destroyed a lot of Omaha's historic character. When they plow these things through cities it does a lot of damage to neighborhoods and property values.

So, when they plowed I-80 through there, that wasn't a problem? Is that what you're saying?

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by formeromaharesident

So, when they plowed I-80 through there, that wasn't a problem? Is that what you're saying?

Ummm... You might want to look into the history of Omaha, and find out what was along the path of what is now I-80 when the Interstate was first constructed through Omaha in the early 60s.

Here's a hint: Corn fields.

[formeromaharesident]

I must be the only one who can see the positives in this.

[joelwnelson]

I-29 seems like it serves the Omaha area (which includes Council Bluffs) well enough in my opinion with connections to north Omaha (I-680), downtown (I-480), and south Omaha (I-80) all easy to get to.

As to northeast Nebraska... terrain is a huge factor. There's simply no way the Interstate could have been routed through eastern Thurston County. Also, that is tribal land... no way that would have been approved either. As it is there's still some resentment over the Missouri River channelization project at Blackbird Bend...

The lowlands on the Nebraska side between Omaha and Sioux City also seems more flood-prone for some reason than the area where I-29 is on the Iowa side. For one thing, there's a lot more flat land on that side. The bluffs come a lot closer to the river on the Nebraska side (which also allows more room for levees and flood control projects on the Iowa side, making it better for a major highway).

Finally, in north Omaha the historic Florence area goes right up to the river; another reason why the North Freeway currently has to end where it does. There simply was more room (read: cheaper land acquisition) on the Iowa side, where it's rural even just east from Eppley. Could it have taken the Storz Expressway route and then crossed the river north of the airport? Maybe, but that would be another bridge to put in at higher cost. Who knows, maybe a bridge will one day go in there... wouldn't count on it though.

[Calvinist]

Originally Posted by formeromaharesident

I'm taking a risk posting this message, but in my opinion, I-29 should've been built through Nebraska instead of Iowa. Why? Because of Omaha. I-29 could serve Omaha directly. But of course, then there's Sioux City. How would you deal with that? I suppose they could build I-29 through a small portion of Iowa in Sioux City.

and??? Do you propose they move it? What's the point?