January marks the beginning of a highly intensive period of construction related to Omaha’s future streetcar, including the reconstruction of an interstate bridge, the start of mainline track installation and resultant road closures.
The Farnam Street bridge over Interstate 480 is scheduled to be demolished this coming weekend. To accommodate the demolition process, I-480 will be closed from Friday, January 8 at 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. on Monday, January 12. It is possible that the process could be completed earlier if all goes well.
The schedule depends on the weather. An initial call we be made Wednesday to determine if it is okay to proceed with the demolition, or if it will be delayed until next week, according to Eric Miller, streetcar operations manager for the City of Omaha.
The Harney Street bridge over I-480 opened recently after being rebuilt in 2025. Both bridges needed to be replaced not just for streetcar construction, but because of their general age and physical condition.
So far, streetcar-related construction has focused on upgrading underground utilities under and near the future streetcar routes. That changed yesterday as crews started working on the first mainline track sections near the Capitol District and Midtown Crossing.
Before the rail goes in, crews must construct the foundational track structure. The first steel rail will be laid in March near 8th & Capitol Avenue and in April for a stretch of Farnam Street west of Turner Boulevard.
For more information and status updates regarding this project, visit or sign up for project notifications at www.OmahaStreetcar.org
Photo by Eric Miller
