Saddle Creek Underpass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saddle Creek Underpass
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View from the south, along Saddle Creek Road
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location |  US 6 (Dodge St.) over Saddle Cr. Rd., Omaha, Nebraska |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1934 |
| Architect | State of Nebraska |
| Architectural style | Concrete rigid frame bridge |
| MPS | Highway Bridges in Nebraska MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000741 |
| Added to NRHP | June 29, 1992 |
The Saddle Creek Underpass is a special road structure in Omaha, Nebraska. It helps Saddle Creek Road go under Dodge Street, which is also part of a big highway called US 6. This underpass was built a long time ago, in 1934.
It was constructed by a group called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that helped people find jobs during the Great Depression. They built many important things like roads and bridges. The Saddle Creek Underpass was added to a list of important historic places on June 29, 1992.
Contents
What is the Saddle Creek Underpass?
This underpass is like a tunnel for cars and people. It lets traffic on Saddle Creek Road pass safely below the busy Dodge Street. This design helps keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely in the area.
Building the Underpass
The Nebraska Department of Roads wrote about building the underpass in their 1933-34 report. They said it included a modern street light system. It also had a special traffic light system to control cars. Plus, there were two pedestrian tunnels for people to walk through safely.
The project also involved a "grade separation." This means they changed the height of the roads so they wouldn't cross at the same level. This makes it much safer for everyone.
How it was Built
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) did a lot of work to build this underpass. They had to dig out a huge amount of dirt. Imagine moving over 1,175 cubic yards of dirt! That's enough to fill many, many dump trucks. This digging made Saddle Creek Road low enough to go under Dodge Street.
The project was finished in 1934. It was designed to fit into Omaha's growing system of wide, tree-lined roads called boulevards. Saddle Creek Road was originally known as Saddle Creek Boulevard.
Location and Importance
Today, Saddle Creek Road still uses this underpass. It sits between the Morton Meadows and Dundee neighborhoods. In 2004, the Saddle Creek Underpass was the only building or structure in these neighborhoods listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes places that are important to history.
