February 7, 2007

The Newest BIG Thing

	Trestle & crane on the Iowa side of the river. Crews are preparing to set the 2nd pylon.

Construction crews began installing the first of two pylons last week that will support the bridge. Each pylon - or tower - will be 204-foot high and will be topped with a 25-foot steel tip. Over 40 cables will be dropped from the top of each pylon and be connected to the bridge deck.

Observers can view a 299-foot trestle that extends out over the river on the Iowa side. This is a temporary structure built to support the large cranes that are needed to dig a hole in the bedrock below. 
 

	Preparation is done in front of the Riverfront Place condominiums in Nebraska. The sign indicates the riverfront trail is closed for bridge construction.

Once completed the 2,700-foot bridge with a 506-foot span across the river will connect nearly 150 miles of trails in Nebraska and Iowa. When illuminated at night, the bridge's twin spires and cable stays will light up the Missouri River for miles.

Entrance to the bridge on the Omaha side will be located between the Riverfront Place condominiums and the National Park Service regional headquarters.

The Council Bluffs entrance will be just north of Playland Park. A proposal to develop this area was recently submitted to city leaders. The vision includes a plaza that will welcome visitors

	Proposed Council Bluffs riverfront development.

coming across the bridge and a three-acre park just to the east.

In Council Bluffs, work is also continuing on a aquatic habitat. An old river chute northwest of I-29 and Avenue G is being cleared to benefit fish and wildlife. The restored chute will have a depth of around 5 feet during normal summer river flows and will be 300 feet wide from bank to bank. The chute, which will empty back into the river west of Avenue G, is about a half-mile north of the Iowa pedestrian bridge entrance. The nature area surrounding the chute will be incorporated into any park plans at the base of the bridge.

Boaters on the river will need to pay special attention this summer when they navigate close to the bridge construction site. Buoys or other restriction signs may be placed in this area as work continues.