OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Steel beams that will form the foundation of Omaha's streetcar project have arrived in Downtown Omaha, marking a significant step forward for the long-anticipated transit initiative.
The beams are staged at 10th and Farnam, where workers are expected to begin welding them together next week, according to city officals. Four beams will be merged into one, creating long lengths of rail that will eventually be laid as streetcar tracks. That work is planned to begin in April.
Austin Rowser, the Omaha City Engineer, said the arrival of the beams signals a turning point for the project.
"You know, it makes it very real. Obviously, this is just the beginning of the rail coming into sight. So there's a lot of work ahead of us. A lot of work you have to do. This is really kind of the start," Rowser said.
The project is not expected to be complete until 2028.
The activity at the staging area drew the attention of neighbors, like Michael Henery, who said the project brought back memories.
"Amazed that someone would put something back here that was here when I moved Omaha. And I used to ride on the trolley cars on the rail," Henery said.
A second staging area will be set up in Blackstone, along Farnam from 42nd to 44th, in the coming weeks.
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