Construction starts on Omaha's first protected bike lane

OMAHA, Neb. (FOX 42 KPTM) — Construction started today for the new protected bike lane on Harney St. The bike lane has been in progress for the last decade.

The project is expected to be completed in 6 weeks and is in connection with the Spin 2021 Mobility Data for Safer Streets (MDSS) initiative.

Omaha is one of 5 cities chosen for the initiative. They received a grant to analyze and track the bike lane's traffic data.

The City of Omaha Parking and Mobility Division partnered with Creighton University, Social Science Data Lab, Mode Shift and Heartland Bcycle to analyze the impact of the two way protected bike lane.

The bike lane on Harney Street will remove one lane of traffic in which cyclist are hoping will slow down cars.

This is a pilot project that will last for one year. If the project is successful it will make the case for the bike lane to be permanent and for more protected bike lanes to be built.

Sara Johnson of Mode Shift Omaha says she is hoping this is the first of a more robust network.

Once the project is complete business owners on Harney are hoping the bike lane with bring in new customers.

The new bike lane can also be used by pedestrians and scooters.