Northwest Nebraska will benefit from one of 13 Transportation Alternatives grants announced this week.
The Nebraska Game and Parks was awarded a piece of $50 million in funding to complete surfacing on the Cowboy Trail from Rushville to mile marker 400, located just east of Chadron. According to a press release from the Nebraska Department of Transportation, the total funding awarded to the 13 projects is the largest amount granted in the state since the program’s inception in 1991. Specific award amounts were not detailed.
The competitive Transportation Alternatives Project awards are administered by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and supports alternate modes of transportation such as trails, safe routes to school and traffic improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized transportation.
The Cowboy Trail, which runs from Norfolk to Chadron, is built on abandoned rail line and owned by the Nebraska Game and Parks. The trail is finished to Valentine, and another portion in Sheridan County is also complete. The new grant will help complete the trail to its terminus just outside Chadron. Locally, the Northwest Nebraska Trails Association is working to complete the Cowboy Trail Connection, which will connect downtown Chadron to the trail.
Other TAP grants were awarded to Omaha, Fremont, Fort Calhoun, Beatrice, South Sioux City, the Papio-Missouri River Basin Natural Resource District, Papillion, Blair, Douglas County, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Grand Island and Taylor.
This won’t be a popular post. BUT what a waste of money. NO one hardly even uses that trail. That money could be spent improving our roads!!! Or just give the TAXPAYERS a break! $50 million dollars just down the drain…….
Ms. Nelson, that money is hardly down the drain. The Cowboy Trail will be an economic boon to the towns bordering it. Tourism is the second largest industry in the region, second only to agriculture. Just by your post I can tell you would benefit from looking into the trail more, and I hope you do. It remains unfinished, but portions are already seeing good use. Similar trails in other locations are extremely popular and you’re underestimating the benefit of completing it. As far as taxes, these are federal taxes, so they likely cost each taxpayer pennies, and wouldn’t ever have gone toward fixing Chadron roads. This money was always going to be awarded and better if it was awarded to our communities, to complete a revenue-making venture.
I tend to agree, Betty. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
According to the article, the money allocated is to be used for “alternate modes of transportation”, so this is appropriate use of funds. I do agree that our Chadron roads need a lot of repair, but this money is not for that purpose.
Comical one must constantly seek funds by transfer of debt from one place to another. Yes all money is debt and without someone going into debt there would be no money. Then there’s the interest that is also debt. That means got to go in debt just for the interest which means the debt always exceeds the money supply. Go figure! At one time govts had to petition the people for funds and secure them with bonds. As a result the people were in charge and were free!
Intrest on a loan is never created so the interest must be captured from another source and then there is a shortage of money because some one or entity got more than someone else. Then borrow we must to increase the money supply again and again! Quite a gig!
Some people just don’t want nice things. A lot of complainers, as usual.
I hesitated to respond to this, but I, first of all, give my name. Nice things? I will wait and see how wonderful this turns out to be. About the only scenic area is by Anderson Hill. Other than that, flat and boring. “Alternate roads of transportation?” Not likely. Motorized vehicles not allowed. So you drive your vehicle to the entrance of the route and walk a mile or two and then turn around to walk back to your vehicle. No projection of how many bikers might use the trails. If I turn out to be incorrect, I will eat my words. Until then, I will just watch. It seems to me, however, that the millions of dollars could be used more logically.
No horses aloud either on the cowboy trail
So true, Matt. Maybe they should change the name? As someone else pointed out, parts of the trail may be quite close to rural homes. The individual asked: “Who wants people going through their yard?” Might be a bit exaggerated, but something to consider.
Barb, I would recommend you look further into the project and the economic benefits of similar trails around the nation. There will be a significant number of bikers once the project is completed. You’re correct that motor vehicles aren’t allowed, that’s why it’s “alternate roads of transportation.” Motorized vehicles aren’t the only forms of transportation. It’s fantastic that locals will have an opportunity to hike a mile or two on the trail and return home, that’s healthy and entertaining for those who enjoy it. But these types of trails are extremely popular among scores of travelers who will complete large stretches of the trail, if not the entire trail. These travelers spend money in the bordering communities, they also generate tourism (the second largest industry in our area next to agriculture) by way of word of mouth. I encourage you to look further into the project. These types of trails are a known entity, the economic benefits are well established.
This is an improvement to a public recreation area enjoyed by each the citizens of the our rural towns along the trail. The original name of the railroad which went from Fremont , Nebraska to Lusk, Wyoming, was The Cowboy Line which transported cattle to eastern markets. Landowners in the Black Hills were upset when the Mickelson Rails to Trails (which runs over 100 miles) was proposed because people would be leaving trash and trespassing on their property. That did not happen. Today if you have land with access next to the Mickelson Trail, property value has increased. I rode my bike over the trail from east of Chadron along Bordeaux Creek to Hay Springs and it was really beautiful, as I find the prairie beautiful, also. The trail is particularly busy around towns, extending out as much as 5 miles either way. As much as we may not approve of all federal funding decisions, it seems silly not to accept funds allocated for this purpose to our under-funded area.
Dan, I hope you are correct, but I will believe it when I see it. I have lived in this area off and on for most of my life, and I am no spring chicken. I know the territory. I hope others will share their thoughts. A debate is not much fun with just a small handfull of participants.
I am happy to hear this news. We have been using a short portion of the trail from our house for over 3 years. I take my 85-year-old father for walks on the trail. Our highway has a generous shoulder for bicyclists, runners, and walkers but over the last 19 years I have noticed more traffic on the road and more drivers using cell phones. Though I will miss the friendly waves from drivers the trail will be a welcome addition. There are native plants and birds along it. Good for our health—body and mind.
How come they don’t say how much the Game & Parks gets for this project? Could it be so Game of Parks can siphon off this for other pet projects or just an oversight.
Also why does the trail end at Chadron instead of going on to Crawford/Ft. Rob?
Because there are railroad tracks going to Crawford
Will you be able to tent camp on the trail ?on your journey. and will it be a pay to play a state park sticker.
This is all I can find out at the moment. This is not like the Black Hills in SD. I think communities try to bring visitors into town, but not sure there is good camping, at least around Chadron.
Questions?
Contact Alex Duryea, NGPC Recreational Trails Staff via email or phone at 402-471-5443.