Omaha Public Works Department holds pop-up event for traffic safety

The Omaha Public Works Department hosted a traffic seminar at the North Omaha Transit Center in order to share how to be safe along the Ames Street corridor.

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North Omaha Transit Center holds pop-up event for traffic safety

OMAHA, Neb. —

Within a couple of weeks, school will start back up. As a result, the city of Omaha is looking to boost traffic safety ahead of the opening bell.

The Omaha Public Works Department hosted a pop-up event at the North Omaha Transit Center to help boost safety for drivers, especially surrounding the back-to-school season.

During the event, the city shared information about how to be safe along the Ames Street corridor, which spans from Florence Boulevard to 72nd Street.

The city called Ames Avenue a high-injury network. They said that from 2017 to 2024, there were 2,500 crashes. Nine hundred of those resulted in injuries, and six were deadly.

“We want people that are walking, biking, taking public transit or driving to be able to get home safely. So that’s why we are making what appears to be kind of drastic changes to what people typically have seen done,” said Vision Zero coordinator Jeff Sobczyk.

With the active construction and school starting back up, the city urged people to stay safe on the roads.

“Just encouraging people to slow down, watch for those little people and their families as they go back to school,” said Alyssa Smith with Omaha Public Works.

The city is also looking for feedback from the community.

They’re considering options such as roundabouts in intersections and bike paths in areas along Ames.

Officials asked for your opinion.

“It’s really a vision for the future. And that’s why we want the public’s input. Because this is how we’re going to shape the future,” said Sobczyk.

You can give your input here.

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