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May 03
2009
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Streetcars Then and NowPosted by elizabethnelson in Street Cars, Nebraska |
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In the mid 1800's street cars operated in Omaha Nebraska and Council Bluffs Iowa. When the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge was built in 1888 he two cites were connected and operated under the title Omaha and Council Bluffs Railway. The street cars took passengers to work but also to keisure activities at Fairmont, Lake Manawa and Peony Parks.
The rail system stayed in place until September 1948. Although a trolley operated in the Omaha metro, no rail system exists although there is talk of developing one for the downtown Omaha area. There are strong opinions on both sides of the issue! Some of the wider streets downtown could accomodate the space for the rails, but other streets are too narrow.
Another rail system connecting Omaha and Lincoln has been proposed as well. The thought is such a system would alleviate traffic on Interstate 80 especially for those commuting to work.
