Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
J Robert Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge | |
|---|---|
The bridge in 2024 | |
| Coordinates | 41°15′56″N 95°55′20″W / 41.265634°N 95.92231°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian and bicycle traffic |
| Crosses | Missouri River |
| Locale | Omaha, Nebraska Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed |
| Total length | 3,000 ft (910 m) |
| Longest span | 506 ft (154 m) |
| Clearance below | 52 ft (16 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | HNTB Ted Zoli III, Director of Longspan Structures |
| Construction start | October 26, 2006[1] |
| Opened | September 28, 2008[2] |
| Location | |
Interactive map of J Robert Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge | |
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]
History
With the replacement of the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge and other older crossings across the Missouri River, interest in a pedestrian bridge crossing the river from Omaha, Nebraska to Council Bluffs, Iowa came into discussion. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge began development in 1998 as a part of the Back to the River steering committee, which involved the cities of Omaha, Council Bluffs, the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Nebraska Department of Roads, and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.[6]
In October 1999, Senator Bob Kerrey created a transportation bill to help give funding to the pedestrian bridge.[7] The bill 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]
The Council Bluffs and Omaha City Council voted in favor to name the pedestrian bridge for Bob Kerrey ahead of its opening in September 2008.[3] The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge officially opened on September 28, 2008.[8] 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. It reopened September 3, 2011.[9] In 2015, as a part of a marketing campaign by the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge was given an online persona known as Bob the Bridge. Additionally, Bob the Bridge joined Twitter, and posts videos using the persona.[10]
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]
Design
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.[14][15]
Gallery
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At sunset from the Iowa side in or prior to 2011
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Underside in 2025
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Deck in 2016
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View of the bridge in 2025
See also
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge To Open September 28". Omaha, NE: KETV-TV. September 11, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Omaha vote makes name official: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge". Omaha World-Herald. September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Hi I'm Bob. I'm a Bridge". www.visitomaha.com. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "How Bob the Bridge became an iconic landmark of Omaha". www.simpleviewinc.com. July 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Rorholm, Janet (July 15, 1998). "Bridge to link Iowa/Nebraska trails to be studied by". The Daily Nonpareil. p. 9. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
- ^ "Iowa-Nebraska Trail Takes $2 Million Step". Omaha World-Herald. October 5, 1999. p. 1. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
- ^ "Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge opens to public". Lincoln Journal Star. September 30, 2008. p. 8. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
- ^ "Iowa Side of Pedestrian Bridge Reopens". Omaha, NE: WOWT. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- ^ "That photo of you on the bridge? Tag 'Bob,' too". Omaha World-Herald. July 10, 2015. p. 7. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ Harris, Joe (June 6, 2024). "Omaha officials say progress is being made on 'Baby Bob' bridge". WOWT. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ "'Baby Bob' ready and waiting". Omaha World-Herald. April 26, 2025. pp. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ "Lewis and Clark Landing". Lewis and Clark Landing - The RiverFront. Omaha RiverFront. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ "Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge". City of Council Bluffs, IA. City of Council Bluffs, IA. Retrieved February 23, 2025.