The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, aka “Bob,” is turning 17 on September 28. And Omaha just welcomed a new arrival. “Baby Bob” is the fresh connector bridge that links downtown Omaha to the Bob in style.
Baby Bob officially debuted September 4 with a ribbon cutting. At 1,100 feet long, Baby Bob stretches over Riverfront Drive and Union Pacific’s tracks. It starts at 10th Street, near Charles Schwab Field Omaha and CHI Health Center Omaha, making it easier than ever to wander from downtown Omaha to the Missouri River and back again. It’s a big deal for trail lovers too — the bridge ties into the Great American Rail Trail and the future North Omaha Trail.
The Baby Bob project cost $7.5 million and was backed by federal and city governments, the Papio-Missouri River NRD, Downtown Riverfront Trust and Back to the River Foundation. In other words, a village raised this baby.
As for the original Bob, since opening in 2008 it has become a tourist hotspot and local favorite. It unites Omaha and Council Bluffs, stars in countless selfies and glows in colors for causes ranging from Pride to cancer awareness. Popular activities on Bob include “Bobbing” — standing in two states at once at a designated spot over the Missouri River — and completing a “0.9K marathon.” Bob is also a certified development magnet. Just look on both sides of the river.
So, on September 28, raise a cone, cupcake or cocktail to Bob’s 17th. With Baby Bob joining the family, the future is looking connected. If only all kids could make their parents look this good.