OMAHA- If the proposed Omaha streetcar extended its route north towards Eppley Airfield, it may receive a notable increase in its funding. A measure presented by State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha to the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee asks for state funds to establish and operate a streetcar that would connect to Eppley Airfield.

Wayne said, his LB477 is a way to put pressure on the City of Omaha to take the $300 million-plus streetcar project through less advantaged areas and to the airport, and also to “set some standards on who gets included and who doesn’t.” The current plan has there streetcar going from downtown to midtown along Farnam and Harney Streets.

Wayne described his proposal as “Part II” of the Economic Recovery Act the Legislature passed last year as Legislative Bill 1024. That package, called a historic investment into the poorest areas of the state, earmarked $335 million mostly for North and South Omaha. The streetcar would eventually service a business park that is to be near the airport. This business park is also a result of LB1024.

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