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Bridge linking Mills Co, IA & Sarpy Co., NE to open Oct. 22nd

News

October 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Economic development officials say a new $140 million bridge that spans the Missouri River and connects Mills County, Iowa with Sarpy County, Nebraska, should be open in three weeks. The Omaha World-Herald reports an opening ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 22nd, just before traffic is allowed on the bridge that will extend U.S. Highway 34 from Interstate 29 west of Glenwood toward Platteview Road and U.S. Highway 75 in Bellevue.

Larry Winum, president of the Mills County Economic Development Foundation, told the paper the opening of the bridge will be the catalyst for development along the Highway 34 corridor on the Iowa and Nebraska sides. There are an estimated 3,000 acres of buildable land on each side of the river.

Winum said officials would like to see the areas around the bridge become development sites for potential business parks or commercial projects. The bridge is expected carry 2,000 cars every day. More traffic also means more people who might spend money in Mills County, which relies heavily on residential owners and farmers to generate tax revenue.

The bridge also is the start of road project for southwest Iowa. Mills County officials are pushing to expand U.S. Highway 34 to a four-lane highway to Interstate 35 in Osceola.