Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Footbridge across Omaha, Nebraska to Council Bluffs, Iowa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge,[1] also called Bob the Bridge,[2][3] is a footbridge across the Missouri River between Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. It opened in 2008,[4] and is named after former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, who secured federal funding for the bridge.[1]
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge | |
|---|---|
The bridge in 2024 | |
| Coordinates | 41.26563°N 95.92231°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian and bicycle traffic |
| Crosses | Missouri River |
| Locale | Omaha, Nebraska Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Named for | Bob Kerrey |
Preceded by | Illinois Central Missouri River Bridge |
Followed by | Grenville Dodge Memorial Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed |
| Total length | 3,000 ft (910 m) |
| Longest span | 506 ft (154 m) |
| 52 ft (16 m) | |
| History | |
| Designer | Ted Zoli |
Contracted lead designer | HNTB |
| Opened | September 28, 2008 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | No |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge | |
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.[5]
In October 1999, Senator Bob Kerrey created a transportation bill to help give funding to the pedestrian bridge.[6] The bill secured $18 million of federal funding for the bridge in 2000.[1] 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.[7]
Both the Council Bluffs and Omaha city councils voted to name the pedestrian bridge for Bob Kerrey ahead of its opening in September 2008.[1] 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
At sunset from the Iowa side in or prior to 2011
Underside in 2025
Deck in 2016
View of the bridge in 2025
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