How to get to Omaha while steering clear of the floodwaters

How to get to Omaha while steering clear of the floodwaters
A portion of Highway 92 has been destroyed by floodwaters in western Douglas County. JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD

As the Interstate signs will tell you, it’s best to check 511 for the latest road reports.

But there’s already ample evidence to know that commuting to Omaha from parts of Douglas and surrounding counties has become more difficult.

Elkhorn River bridges at West Maple Road, West Dodge Road and U.S. Highway 275 are out of commission, perhaps for a long time.

Also closed are Missouri River bridges at U.S. Highway 34, Interstate 680 and East Mission Avenue in Bellevue.

Along the Platte River, the north-south U.S. Highway 34 bridge between Plattsmouth and LaPlatte is closed, as is the Nebraska Highway 92 bridge near Venice. Also impassable is the stretch of Nebraska Highway 64 that includes the bridge across the Platte near Valley.

And all routes in and out of Fremont were a no-go as of late Sunday.

If you’re coming to Omaha …

From points west, such as Wahoo, Mead or Yutan: Your best bet is to track Highway 66 southeast through Ashland and pick up on Interstate 80.

From points south of the Platte: Your only realistic option is to cross the river on Highway 50 at Louisville.

From Council Bluffs and other points east: Cross the Missouri on I-80 or Interstate 480. Chances are, many of you probably do that already.

From Blair, Fort Calhoun and other points north: U.S. Highway 75 and Nebraska Highway 133 are open. (These routes can also work for commuters from the Missouri Valley, Iowa, area; the U.S. Highway 30 bridge over the Missouri is open.)

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