The Great American Rail-Trail is a 3,700-mile multi-use trail that runs from Washington D.C. to Washington State. It’s in the process of being built – using existing bike trails, repurposing railroad lines, and constructing new connector trails where needed. When the trail is fully completed any traveler biking across the country might find themselves on a roughly 5-mile stretch that will lead them through Bellevue, Nebraska.
The trail connects twelve states: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Of the over 3,700 miles of trail, more than 2,000 miles already exist – with roughly 53% of the project completed. It is estimated that 50,000,000 people live within 50 miles of the trail.
Of the twelve states involved, Nebraska boasts the longest stretch of trail in any state at 590.5 miles – including 307 miles of existing trails. From east to west, the trail enters Nebraska across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and winds through Omaha, entering Bellevue on the Keystone Trail near 60th and Harrison. The path then turns onto the Papio Trail near the Beardmore Event Center and makes its way west, into Papillion. From there the trail leads south and west, connecting to Lincoln followed by Columbus, Norfolk, Ainsworth, Valentine, Chadron, and Crawford before eventually entering Wyoming. Whether travelers are coming from the west or the east, the midpoint of the trail is somewhere in Nebraska, possibly near Ainsworth.
Though thousands of people are involved in the effort, the primary driving force is an organization called the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC). Founded in 1986, the mission is to build connected trails throughout America. They have helped get over 24,000 miles of trails up and running and have another 8,000+ ready to build, including parts of The Great American Rail-Trail.
Bellevue State Senator Rita Sanders is a longtime member of the Bellevue Bicycle Club and a supporter of both Bike Walk Nebraska and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Sanders also supports LB 813 – legislation that will help connect the MoPac Trail (from Springfield to Lincoln) and build out the rest of the Cowboy Trail. She is excited that progress is being made on the trail. “It’s great to know we will be able to pedal across our country, walk along and through historic cities safely, and truly enjoy the trail! The Great American Rail-Trail is another opportunity to get family and friends outdoor, exercise, see our history and our great state.”
While it will be years before the entire national route is connected, local bicyclists are glad that a good portion of Nebraska’s trails are ready to go now. Bike Walk Nebraska Executive Director Julie Harris said, “Much of The Great American Rail-Trail already exists in Nebraska with the Cowboy Trail and the MoPac Trail.”
As the topic of potential economic impact was discussed, Harris spoke of the Katy Trail in Missouri, “The Katy Trail, a rails to trail route in Missouri that runs from Kansas City to St. Louis, generates over $18 million in economic impact according to a study done ten years ago. This money comes to small communities where people on bikes stop for coffee, beer, meals, supplies, and/or an overnight stay. We are developing an initiative that can help trail-adjacent towns maximize their bicycle friendliness and attract bicycle tourism.”
While the future economic impact to Bellevue is unknown, it is safe to say that businesses in the Twin Creek area, especially those adjacent to the bike trail, should see a bump in business once the Great American Rail-Trail is completed.
Resources with more information on The Great American Rail-Trail, including how to donate and volunteer:
- Main Website: https://www.railstotrails.org/greatamericanrailtrail/
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: https://www.railstotrails.org/
- Bike Walk Nebraska: https://www.bikewalknebraska.org/
