Many people live in Iowa but work in Nebraska and visa versa. Our only means of getting from one location to the other is by going over the Missouri River - by way of bridge. We travel over bridges so often that we usually take them for granted, that is until bridge re-construction forces us to take an alternate route.
 
We suffer through the inconvenience and complain, but what if we had to travel 35 miles or more out of our way just to cross the river?
 
That's exactly what folks living in Vermillion, South Dakota and Newcastle, Nebraska had to do until November of last year. The new Vermillion/Newcastle bridge was officially opened to traffic on November 1st.
 
The new two-lane bridge not only cuts down travel time, but also opened up new business opportunities, brought medical care closer and extended college choices for students.
 
The University of South Dakota even had a 'Welcome Nebraska Neighbors Day' in December. Tourism is also expected to increase at Ponca State Park now that people will have a more direct route.
 
What if you have a bridge that is in need of repair, but no one wants to claim it? That seems to be the situation with the Bellevue Toll Bridge or officially known as the 'Grand Army of the Republic Bridge'.
 
The Bellevue Bridge Commission, which was formed in 1950, is getting closer to paying off $2.8 million in construction bonds owed on the bridge and wanted to give it to Sarpy County but they are saying "no, thanks" to the gift. Why? Along with the bridge comes maintenance costs. The 50-year-old bridge is in need of a paint job and a new bridge deck which is expected to cost around $4 million.
 
Because the City of Bellevue created the bridge commission, it appeared they would inherit the bridge but they don't want it either.
 
Sarpy County Commissioner Inez Boyd thought the state should own it because it is a state highway but they are saying they are under no obligation to take it over. Bellevue Mayor Jerry Ryan claims original contract documents indicate Mills County, Iowa officials agreed to take over their half of the bridge but no such documents can be found that say Sarpy County made that type of commitment. Ultimately, it will be up to the governor or legislature to decide the state's role in the bridge, if any. In the meantime, it appears this is one bridge without an owner or caretaker.
 
A few miles up river sits another old bridge awaiting its fate - the South Omaha Bridge (officially renamed the Veterans Memorial Bridge in 1995).

This 66-year-old bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places 10 years ago but is now labeled as being 'functionally obsolete'. The Nebraska Department of Roads would like to replace the bridge with a wider, modern, four-lane structure.
 
One possibility could be to keep the current old steel bridge and build a two-lane companion bridge but this option is unlikely, according to bridge engineers. Unlike buildings that can be rehabilitated for reuse, a bridge can become obsolete rather quickly. It is possible, however, that the new bridge could incorporate the sentinel pillars that mark the bridges entrance on the Nebraska side. The old bridge site may even become a scenic river overlook. Total cost for the project is expected to exceed $50 million with 80 percent of that paid for by the federal government.
 
This brings us to the controversial pedestrian bridge planned to connect Omaha's new riverfront to the banks of Council Bluffs.
 
The future of the $23 million project may be in some jeopardy after Council Bluffs announced a $1.5 million funding cut last week. This money was designated to be transferred to Omaha, who is administering the project. Omaha and Council Bluffs officials had hoped the bridge could open in late 2004 or 2005 but this latest number-crunch could postpone things a year or two. Council Bluffs also had about $550,000 cut from a riverside trail project but expects the money to be restored next year.
 
There will be a meeting and open house held this Thursday, March 14th to discuss the pedestrian bridge project. It is being held at the Peter Kiewit Conference Center, 1313 Farnam St. in Omaha from 4 pm to 8 pm. If you are unable to attend but would like to offer input, you can send comments to: