(1974-2003)
WEST End: I-29 exit 32 and US 34, Mills County
Facing west on 978
Photo by Neil Bratney
The part of US 34 southwest of Glenwood that did not become part of an extended 385 became unsigned 978, unacknowledged on 29's BGSs. At this point US 34 picks up its old route again to a bridge that opened in 1930. Paradoxically, as often happens with reroutes, the shortest route between the county seat towns of Plattsmouth and Glenwood is now not via US 34, but unsigned 978 and 385's extension, both of which the DOT unloaded.
Facing west on 978
The road in the foreground is the one the "Pacific Junction 2->" LGS in the above picture was pointing - "dustless" L31.
Facing west on 978
Facing north on 29
Notice that Plattsmouth doesn't have a "Neb" attached.
EAST End: T intersection, IA 385, Mills County
Facing northeast, but heading east, on 978
Photo by Neil Bratney
Because 978 was unsigned, only signage for 385 was at the end.
Facing southwest, but heading west, on 385
Photo by Neil Bratney
As 385 resumed its old course, 978 began just to the left of this picture.
Facing east on 385 (2003)
Facing east on 385 (2008)
The 2003 rural sign assembly for IA 978, like 921, was the only proof that it existed. That is, unless you ask Rand McNally, and you still won't get a correct answer...
Last seen: 2003 (2002 atlas)
As you can see, Rand McNally put 978 in precisely the wrong section of old 34, the section north of 385, which instead became an extension of 385 as you can see above and on the 385 page.
Pictures by Neil Bratney: First, fifth, and sixth, 1/20/02
Pictures by me: Second-fourth, ninth, and tenth, 4/6/08; seventh and eighth, 1/19/03
Page created 4/11/02; last updated 8/3/08