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Need advice for best route into Iowa BY BIKE

I’m riding into Iowa from south of Omaha (Plattsmouth or Nebraska City).  There’s only a limited number of bridges over the Missouri, and with the flooding, some of these routes are closed.  Can anyone from the Iowa/NE area provide suggestions on how to cross by bicycle?  Should I just give up on the thought?
Thanks.

4 Replies

mlwalk, July 16, 2011 at 8:45 am

Right now both the Bellevue toll bridge and the South Omaha Bridge are open.   The Bellevue bridge is narrow and no room for error on a bike the South Omaha bridge has a bike lane on it but is a few more miles north.  However the Bellevue toll bridge gets you right on the road back to Glenwood and would be shorter once you are across the bridge.

#22496

brettacook, July 16, 2011 at 5:24 pm

Thanks for the reply!  Where exactly is the South Omaha Bridge?  I did a google search and came up with nothing.
The Bellevue toll bridge (highway 370) is the one I was planning on using, but I did notice that there was no bike lane (yuck).  If the South Omaha Bridge is only a few miles further, I’ll probably go that way.  If you can send information on its location, that would help.

Thanks!

#22497

n0az, July 16, 2011 at 7:28 pm

Bellevue bridge is doable on a bike – first 3-4 mi in Ia no shoulder,
but L 31 S (v nice road) then east from the I 29 exit over one hill
with shoulder into Glenwood.   No easy (bike) way with flooding
to the S O bridge (US275)    btw Bellevue bridge is 50cents for bikes

#22498

brettacook, July 16, 2011 at 8:43 pm

Thanks for the advice.  I’m coming from Plattsmouth and was going to try getting to 275 along the side streets.  Sounds like I should stick with the Bellevue bridge.
Really appreciate all the help (it’s the last stage of my ride, and is turning out to be the most difficult due to the closures).

#22499

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