This column has previously covered streetcar utility work in general, so let’s take a look at a critically important upcoming project: the 38th & Farnam Street area. The top priority of streetcar construction work is to limit the impacts of construction as much as possible for the nearby businesses and residents. One of the keys is to keep Farnam Street open as much as possible. However, for this project, a complete closure for a small amount of time will actually reduce longer-term impacts.
In this case, it will be necessary to completely close Farnam Street between 37th Street and 38th Avenue (just west of 38th Street) for almost four weeks. This closure begins Monday, October 20.
The complete closure will enable the project to be finished faster. A partial closure of Farnam Street in this area would have meant dealing with reduced accessibility for over three times as long. There will be two options to move through the area during this time: Dodge Street to the north and Dewey Avenue to the south, as shown in the map below. Parking is still available on Harney Street and at the new parking garage on 38th & Harney Street.
West Utility Package – October 2025
This essential project is replacing a water transmission main along 38th Street that will go directly under the streetcar tracks, so that future streetcar service will not need to be disrupted. In addition, a smaller water transmission main along Farnam (which goes over the larger water transmission main on 38th Street) will be replaced, including three maintenance holes/covers. A section of sewer pipe is also being replaced.
This project has a similar theme as all of the streetcar-related utility work: upgrading infrastructure that dates to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The photos below shows the early work being done in this area to replace the water main along Farnam Street. This included pulling out old streetcar rails, which further highlights how old the infrastructure is in this area.
Photo of Old Streetcar Rail, by Brad Williams
Looking down Farnam Street utility work started in July
More information on construction activities can be found online at the Omaha Streetcar website: omahastreetcar.org.
The City of Omaha hosts a monthly virtual meeting to discuss construction and answer questions. Register here for the November 5 meeting. The October meeting can be viewed here on the Omaha Streetcar Authority YouTube channel. You can also sign up for weekly construction emails here.