Downtown Omaha Planning for its Post-One-Way-Streets Era

The Omaha City Council has decided to reverse the transportation model adopted in the city in the 1950s, for the benefit of traffic safety and local retail activity.

1 minute read

June 9, 2023, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


An aerial view of a park and the streets and high-rises of Downtown Omaha.

High Note Media / Adobe Stock

The Omaha City Council has hired a consultant to explore options for reconfiguring one-way streets in the city’s downtown. According to an article by Alex McLoon, the study will consider ways to convert streets to two-way traffic to encourage walkability, traffic safety, and increased economic activity for local retailers. Planning research has shown one-way streets to produce poor results for public health and property values. One-way street conversions have also been shown as a downtown revitalization technique.

The city of Omaha committed to one-way streets in downtown in the 1950s, according to McLoon’s article.

The planning process, to be led by an unnamed consultant, is expected to take 18 months, with results delivered to the Omaha City Council in 2024.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in KETV

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