GPS City GuideOmahaBob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Stop 10 of 22 · Omaha audio walking tour

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Omaha · 2008 · River-crossing opens to pedestrians

What you'll hear here: about a minute of narration about Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, and how it fits Omaha, written to be listened to on the spot rather than read at home.

Bob the Bridge, formally the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, carries you on foot across the Missouri River between Omaha and Council Bluffs. Imagine the long conversation that led to this crossing: interest grew as older spans like the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge were replaced, and in 1998 the bridge began development as part of the Back to the River steering committee. That committee brought together the cities of Omaha and Council Bluffs with the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Nebraska Department of Roads, and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

In October 1999 Senator Bob Kerrey pushed a transportation bill to help fund the idea, and that bill secured $18 million in federal funding in 2000. The project hit engineering and cost hurdles — a redesign followed in 2004 after the lowest bid came in at $44 million — and in May 2006 a final cable-stayed design by Kansas City firm HNTB was chosen. The bridge opened in 2008 and carries the name of the former senator who helped make it possible.

Notice that this bridge carries the name of Senator Bob Kerrey, whose 1999 transportation bill helped make it possible.

Where it is

Coordinates
41.26563, -95.92231
Area
Omaha
Era
2008 · River-crossing opens to pedestrians
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Three stops free. No account needed. The audio plays itself as you walk.