The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge was complete in 2008, connecting Iowa and Nebraska over the Missouri River near downtown Omaha. It is named for Nebraska Governor Joseph Robert “Bob” Kerrey (in office 1983-1987), who also served as US Senator from Nebraska (1989-2001). Senator Kerrey earmarked $19m in federal funds before leaving office.
The bridge’s nickname is “Bob The Bridge.”
Bridge Design
The bridge design is called cable-stayed bridge. The weight of the bridge is held by the cables which are attached diagonally to the piers. One pier is in the river which holds the main section of 506 feet. The other pier in on land in Nebraska, holding one of the two back spans. On the Omaha side, the bridge curves down to ground level around a splashpad. On the Iowa side, it continues nearly straight and ends up at the River’s Edge Pavilion.
The walking distance from splashpad to the River’s Edge Pavilion is about 2600 feet, so a round trip would get you just under 1 mile. In fact, if you walk or run over bridge, bring your photo proof to the Omaha Visitors Center at 1001 Farnam Street to collect a nifty “0.9k Marathon” sticker.
Lights: The towers are 210′ and topped with LED lights. The LED lights at the top when combined with lights at the bottom pointing up along the pier can be lit different colors to celebrate events.
Curves: The gentle curve design as it goes over the river is a nod the lazy, meandering curve of the Missouri River itself.
(click image for larger layout)
The Nebraska-Iowa State Line
There is a painted line across the width of the bridge at the middle of the Missouri River. You can read the state names “Nebraska” and “Iowa” heading in both directions.
Mascots Omai and Omar
Omar is the mascot troll that lives under the Omaha side of the bridge. Omai is the sister mascot that likes to be more adventurous. You can find her in various locations in the Omaha metro by looking for the QR codes at the sites listed at Omai Adventure.
Baby Bob Bridge
As of Winter 2024, the Baby Bob is under construction. Keep up to date at eOmahaForums.
Officially the “North Downtown Riverfront Pedestrian Connector Bridge”. This connector bridge will connect the Bob Kerrey Bridge to the North Downtown ballpark and arena, hotels and shops, and Millwork Commons.
In the image below, you are looking generally south. The bridge starts on Meca Drive, east of 10th street. It goes over the train tracks, over Riverfront Drive, and over the small parking lot and #16 bus stop. It will connect to the existing Bob Kerrey Bridge where it is already above ground level.
Connection Point: For the curious, the connection point will be at the point where the Bob Kerrey Bridge changes from dirt supported to suspended. Other than being at the same height, it is not a smooth transition – the two bridges join at a orthogonal crossover.
Originally planned for a 2023 completion, it will likely open in late 2024 or early 2025.
Things To Do Near The Bridge
See the layout map above for details.
- At the Iowa end of the bridge is River’s Edge Park.
- River’s Edge Pavilion includes Belle’s Play Garden and a rentable indoor and outdoor space. Sometimes the bathrooms are open. There is a rooftop deck on the building that is normally available during park hours.
- Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park includes a large open field that sometimes hosts community events, a parking lot (you have to find the road that starts behind Harrah’s Casino to get to it), stepped seating for a great view of the lawn, and connections to the trail system in Council Bluffs.
- River’s Edge development is a small attempt by the city of Council Bluffs to engage people at the site. Here are apartments, a small office building, parking garage, and a few shops/restaurants.
- At the Nebraska end of the bridge
- Connection to the Omaha trail system. If you know the route, you can go north all the way to Blair. Going southward from here is a bit trickier, refer to the map.
- There is a splash pad in the loop at the end of the bridge. If you didn’t know, there’s a button that kids can push to activate the water (between Memorial Day and Labor Day).
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center
- The Lewis and Clark Trail is 4,900 miles long, and the headquarters is right here at the bridge.
- Inside the building is a gift shop, movie presentation, small exhibit, and some ADA-ready restrooms. Also the air conditioner is amazing in the summer.
- Outside the building is the Interpretive Garden, which joins information and fauna/flora displays. Best experienced during the greener months.
- Also within walking distance of the bridge
- Riverfront Marina – for smaller boats
- Omaha Riverfront park system
- Keiwit Luminarium – interactive social and science museum
- CHI Health Center – convention center and arena
- if you take the trail north of the bridge, there is a park with ponds and paths, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail Exhibit
- When the Baby Bob bridge is complete, the convention center, arena, ballpark, hotels, and Millwork Commons will also be within walking distance (see Baby Bob section above).
- Future
- Treetop Walk on the Council Bluffs side is will connect to a planned 138′ tall observation tower called Adventure Tower, both part of the River’s Edge Phase 4. It will connect to the bridge at the levee and go north into the woods. Video from WOWT explains it. There is also a plan for a pier over the water, similar to the new Farnam Pier on the Omaha side.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Stamp
In August 2023, the United States Postal Service issued a series of stamps featuring bridges. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrrian Bridge was included with bridges from Oklahoma City, Bettendorf, IA/Moline, IL, and Middletown/Portland, CT. Unfortunately, the stamps are only issued in rolls for business mail users.
Details
- Address: 705 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, NE (officially)
- Length: 3,000 feet
- Height: 210 feet
- Deck width: 15 feet
- River clearance: 52-60 feet (52 above river in original plans, 60 above river in marketing materials, river levels here, normal is 18′ deep)
- Opened: September 28th, 2008
- Designed by: HNTB (Kansas City, MO)
- Online: Visit Omaha “Bob”, Twitter, and Instagram
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
- eOmahaForums: Baby Bob Bridge (10th & Mike Fahey)
- eOmahaForums: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Part Two)
- Iowa DOT: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
