Fort Kearny hike-bike trail bridge project complete

Courtesy/Pictured in front of the recently improved hike-bike trail bridge at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area are, from left, South-central Regional Park Superintendent Laura Rose, Fort Kearny State Historical Park/SRA Assistant Park Superintendent Elijah Lovin, Facilities Construction Coordinator Paul Mara, and Fort Kearny SHP/SRA Park Superintendent Gene Hunt. (Lori Potter photo)

The hike-bike trail south bridge at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area is now open to the public following extensive improvements.

The project included replacing the bridge decking and railings and adding new viewing platforms to enhance safety and provide expanded opportunities to enjoy views of the Platte River corridor, including the sandhill crane migration.

The bridge is part of a 13.1-mile paved hike-bike trail system connecting Fort Kearny to Cottonmill Park in Kearney. The trail serves walkers, runners, and cyclists, offering a scenic recreational connection between state and local park resources.

Fort Kearny Superintendent Gene Hunt said eight new viewing platforms have been built on the bridge, which will greatly increase the capacity when sandhill crane fans come to visit. It will help get wildlife watchers off the trail, where bicyclists often are riding through.

“This is making it so much easier for people to go on to the observation deck,” Hunt said. “It’s going to make observations easier to do, and it’s definitely more comfortable and safer.”

The bridge’s decking was last replaced in 1980.

Funding was provided by a $250,000 federal Recreational Trails Program grant, Nebraska Game and Parks’ Capital Maintenance Funds, which were established by the Nebraska Legislature to help preserve Nebraska’s public outdoor recreation facilities and parklands, and $13,000 from the annual Vanderheiden Memorial Run donation.