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Trail Phase 4A gets ok from FHA
The City of Hastings received notice recently that the Federal Highway Administration completed its environmental review and approved plans for an extension to the Pioneer Spirit Trail.
Approval by the FHA of Phase 4A, which will extend the Pioneer Spirit Trail into South Hastings, was needed to receive grant funding and continue work on the project.
The City of Hastings was one of six recipients in 2024 of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s grant providing funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Hastings received $250,000 to build Phase 4A of the Pioneer Spirit Trail.
Including the $250,000 in grant funding, total costs for Phase 4A are currently estimated to be about $3 million. Other funds for the project will come from the City of Hastings’ half-cent sales tax collections.
The City of Hastings is planning to construct an 8-to-10-foot-wide concrete trail through South Hastings from First Street and Colorado Avenue, where the city’s paved trail system currently ends, and going about 2.65 miles to connect to Carter Park, Lincoln Elementary School and Brickyard Park.
The change narrows a portion of E Street from 36 feet to 28 feet, and provides for an 8-foot-wide trail and 2-foot-wide stamp section along the street curb to provide separation between traffic and trail users. The change also removes parking along portions of E Street.
A trail expansion through South Hastings has been a priority of First Ward council members for a long time. It was identified as a need in the city's 2018/2019 walkability study.
The connected trail upon completion of the project would total about 12.5 miles. Total constructed trail upon completion of project would total more than 15 miles.
Phase 4A would be bid out in late spring 2025. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer or fall of 2025 and be completed in 2026.
Published Date: 04/ 4/2025