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Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

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Coordinates: 41°15′56″N 95°55′20″W / 41.265634°N 95.92231°W / 41.265634; -95.92231
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J Robert Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
The bridge in 2024
Coordinates41°15′56″N 95°55′20″W / 41.265634°N 95.92231°W / 41.265634; -95.92231
CarriesPedestrian and bicycle traffic
CrossesMissouri River
LocaleOmaha, Nebraska
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Characteristics
DesignCable-stayed
Total length3,000 ft (910 m)
Longest span506 ft (154 m)
Clearance below52 ft (16 m)
History
DesignerHNTB Ted Zoli III, Director of Longspan Structures
Construction startOctober 26, 2006[1]
OpenedSeptember 28, 2008 (2008-09-28)[2]
Location
Map

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]

Description

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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.

History

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Planning and construction

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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

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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

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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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  • At sunset from the Iowa side in or prior to 2011
    At sunset from the Iowa side in or prior to 2011
  • At night in 2016
    At night in 2016
  • Underside in 2025
    Underside in 2025
  • Deck in 2016
    Deck in 2016
  • View of the bridge in 2025
    View of the bridge in 2025

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Ground Broken On Pedestrian Bridge". Omaha, NE: KETV-TV. October 26, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2006.
  2. ^ a b c "Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge To Open September 28". Omaha, NE: KETV-TV. September 11, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.[dead link]
  3. ^ a b c "Omaha vote makes name official: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge". Omaha World-Herald. September 9, 2008. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
  4. ^ "Hi I'm Bob. I'm a Bridge". www.visitomaha.com. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  5. ^ "How Bob the Bridge became an iconic landmark of Omaha". www.simpleviewinc.com. July 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  6. ^ "Lewis and Clark Landing". Lewis and Clark Landing - The RiverFront. Omaha RiverFront. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  7. ^ "Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge". City of Council Bluffs, IA. City of Council Bluffs, IA. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  8. ^ "Omaha News, Weather and Sports - Nebraska News - KETV NewsWatch 7". Omaha, NE: KETV-TV. Retrieved April 5, 2012. [dead link]
  9. ^ "Iowa Side of Pedestrian Bridge Reopens". Omaha, NE: WOWT. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  10. ^ "Omaha bridge gains ability to speak, joins Twitter". July 9, 2015.
  11. ^ "'Baby Bob' Coming Soon: How it will connect pedestrians to North Downtown Omaha". KMTV 3 News Now Omaha. November 17, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  12. ^ Harris, Joe (June 6, 2024). "Omaha officials say progress is being made on 'Baby Bob' bridge". WOWT. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  13. ^ "'Baby Bob' ready and waiting". Omaha World-Herald. April 26, 2025. pp. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
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