March 16, 2004

Pedestrian Bridge over the river now in question

he dream of building a pedestrian bridge to connect Nebraska and Iowa's riverfronts may never become a reality after bids from potential contractors came in at twice the amount initially proposed.

The controversial project drew bids from only two of the five companies that were pre-approved to bid on it. Fru-Con Construction Corp. of Longmont, CO submitted the lowest bid at $44,942,000 while Massman Construction of Kansas City, MO submitted their bid at $50,286,498. The bridge was initially proposed as a $22.6 million project.

Initial plans for the bridge require it to be 2,566' long and carry pedestrians on a 20' wide deck (23' including railings). Bridge designers envisioned two suspension towers designed to look like giant sails, symbolizing the cooperation between Omaha and Council Bluffs. The bridge would connect two development projects on each side of the river, Riverfront Place in Omaha and One Renaissance Center in Council Bluffs.

The public would have free use of the bridge and be able to stroll along the majestic structure while enjoying a view of the river below them. The $20 million difference in construction costs has now left little doubt that construction will not begin this summer as planned and the 2006 completion date is probably out of the question.

What brought the construction companies to the conclusion that it would cost this much to build the bridge is still being determined but what is known is that the money is not there. Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerry secured $17 million in federal grants as part of his back-to-the-river project while he was still in office. Additional funds were to come from a $1.7 million federal planning grant, $1.5 million from the States of Nebraska and Iowa and $1 million from the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District. Even private fund-raising efforts would not be able to raise enough to cover the difference so it now looks like either the entire project will be squashed or the designers need to go back to the drawing board.

The question remains - is this project really necessary and worthwhile? It probably depends on who you ask. Many visionaries think the bridge would be a centerpiece for the entire riverfront development project and be something so unique and different that it would draw tourists in the same way as the arch in St. Louis, MO has. Others think it is a big waste of money and may even encourage suicide attempts and mischief seekers.