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Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Footbridge across Omaha, Nebraska to Council Bluffs, Iowa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge,[3] also called Bob the Bridge,[4][5] is a footbridge across the Missouri River between Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. It opened in 2008,[2] and is named after former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, who secured federal funding for the bridge.[3]
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Description
The bridge is a 3,000-foot (910 m) cable-stayed footbridge. The bridge is north of the Interstate 480 (I-480) girder bridge and connects the Omaha RiverFront to Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in the former Dodge Park Playland in Council Bluffs.[6][7]
The lights on the bridge were donated by Gallup, which has their corporate headquarters and Gallup University located on the Missouri River adjacent the Omaha landing of the bridge. The bridge lights include programmable controls that can display multiple colors in the large lights at the top of the towers and alter brightness and timing of the lights that run the entire length of the bridge.
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History
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Planning and construction
Interest in a landmark bridge across the Missouri River arose after Omaha and Council Bluffs began replacing their older crossings (most notably the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge) with girder bridges which do not have towers .[citation needed] Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey secured $18 million of federal funding for the bridge in 2000.[3]
The bridge was redesigned in 2004 after the lowest bid for the project was $44 million. In May 2006, a final cable-stayed bridge design by Kansas City engineering and architectural firm HNTB was selected for the bridge. The $22 million bid included two 200-foot (61 m) towers and a clearance of 52 feet (16 m) above the river. Groundbreaking for construction of the bridge occurred on October 26, 2006.[1]
Operation
The lights were officially unveiled in a ceremony on September 13, 2008. The bridge lights were turned on while the Phil Collins song "In The Air Tonight" was played over a PA system. The event was accompanied by fireworks.
The bridge opened for use on September 28, 2008.[2]
Due to safety concerns prompted by the 2011 Missouri River floods, the entrance on the Iowa side was closed on July 2 of that year.[8] It reopened September 3, 2011.[9]
In 2015, the bridge joined Twitter as @BobTBridge, an effort by the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau.[10]
"Baby Bob" Expansion
In November 2023, a $7.5 million dollar expansion bridge, named, "Baby Bob," was announced.[11] Groundwork began shortly after announcement and RiverFront Drive closed for construction.[12] The expansion opened on March 21, 2025.[13]
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Gallery
At sunset from the Iowa side in or prior to 2011
At night in 2016
Underside in 2025
Deck in 2016
View of the bridge in 2025
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See also
References
External links
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