Date:

April 22, 2009

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Greg Topil, Engineering Services, 441-8237

Terry Genrich, Parks and Recreation, 441-7939

A section of North 27th Street is scheduled to close Wednesday night for work on the deck surface of the new trail bridge over the street. North 27th from Vine to "W" streets is scheduled to close at 10 p.m. Wednesday and reopen by 6 a.m. Thursday morning. Vehicle and pedestrian use of the roadway and sidewalks along N. 27th St. will be prohibited while the surface is being placed for safety reasons.

Detour routes will be marked, and motorists are advised to use 33rd Street between Vine and Holdrege.

The bridge is part of the Mopac Trail Pedestrian Bridge Project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.

The Great Plains Trails Network provided $125,000 in private donations for the bridge, which is estimated to cost about $1.9 million. The city received a federal enhancement grant for $500,000, and the rest will be paid for from funds received through tax increment financing.

The bridge will provide the final link in the Mopac Trail through Lincoln and will connect with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln downtown campus and the Antelope Valley trail system. The Mopac trail also is a vital link in the future Quad States Trails network.

More information on the project is available by calling Terry Genrich in the City Parks and Recreation Department at 441-7939. For more information on the City's parks and trails, visit the City Web site at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: parks).