Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Part Two)

Post by **BRoss** » Sat May 08, 2021 5:55 pm

One thing I'm not liking is how it is connecting in with the existing bridge. It's like this new bridge just ends and you exit to the side.

It seems like it would make more sense to make the existing bridge continue straight onto this new bridge and create a "T" intersection with the existing pathway to L&C.

Does anyone know when this is supposed to start? I've seen them say it's supposed to open in 2023, but nothing about the start date.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Sat May 08, 2021 7:35 pm

They managed to find a way to F-up the tie-in big time. While it will serve the function of making a much needed downtown connection to the west, the tie-in with the Bob is totally non-cohesive design-wise. At the time of the original design for the Bob, before the bids came-in too high, there was a cohesive design that looked like an extension of the Bob. The tie-in as shown now will be a huge bottle neck for bike riders. Very disappointing design, but needed.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat May 08, 2021 9:58 pm

I feel like we’ve been talking about “baby-bob” for about 15 years on the forum..

I’m just glad we may finally get some movement on this..regardless of the less than “awe inspiring” design/structure...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Mon May 10, 2021 4:13 pm

The west end of the existing bridge that ends in a little curly Q for no reason is the reason this is F'd. The only way to have Baby Bob go straight to the bridge would be to totally redo and replace the existing end of the bridge, which means spending more money and closing the structure for some period of time. If Baby Bob gets built then at some point in the future when they need to renovate the bridge termination anyway they can get it done better.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Mon May 10, 2021 4:25 pm

PWL73316 wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 4:13 pm The west end of the existing bridge that ends in a little curly Q for no reason is the reason this is F'd. The only way to have Baby Bob go straight to the bridge would be to totally redo and replace the existing end of the bridge, which means spending more money and closing the structure for some period of time. If Baby Bob gets built then at some point in the future when they need to renovate the bridge termination anyway they can get it done better.

Eh, I'd disagree.

You could also wrap the baby bob, and form a T intersection off of that.

A real advantage I can see with this design though: If I am biking, or skating or anything with wheels: I'd be forced to slow down with the current weird design. So perhaps the goal was a little safety for the two merging pedestrian groups.

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon May 10, 2021 4:59 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 4:25 pm
PWL73316 wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 4:13 pm The west end of the existing bridge that ends in a little curly Q for no reason is the reason this is F'd. The only way to have Baby Bob go straight to the bridge would be to totally redo and replace the existing end of the bridge, which means spending more money and closing the structure for some period of time. If Baby Bob gets built then at some point in the future when they need to renovate the bridge termination anyway they can get it done better.
Eh, I'd disagree.

You could also wrap the baby bob, and form a T intersection off of that.

A real advantage I can see with this design though: If I am biking, or skating or anything with wheels: I'd be forced to slow down with the current weird design. So perhaps the goal was a little safety for the two merging pedestrian groups.

Omahans are already terrible at merging in their cars; asking for a smooth merge of Big Bob and Baby Bob is asking for trouble. Seriously though, I kind of hate the current rendering's transition; it really shouldn't be a right angle entry from Baby Bob to Big Bob. It's looks so weird to me.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Tue May 11, 2021 8:01 am

ita wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 4:59 pm
Athomsfere wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 4:25 pm
PWL73316 wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 4:13 pm The west end of the existing bridge that ends in a little curly Q for no reason is the reason this is F'd. The only way to have Baby Bob go straight to the bridge would be to totally redo and replace the existing end of the bridge, which means spending more money and closing the structure for some period of time. If Baby Bob gets built then at some point in the future when they need to renovate the bridge termination anyway they can get it done better.
Eh, I'd disagree.

You could also wrap the baby bob, and form a T intersection off of that.

A real advantage I can see with this design though: If I am biking, or skating or anything with wheels: I'd be forced to slow down with the current weird design. So perhaps the goal was a little safety for the two merging pedestrian groups.
Omahans are already terrible at merging in their cars; asking for a smooth merge of Big Bob and Baby Bob is asking for trouble. Seriously though, I kind of hate the current rendering's transition; it really shouldn't be a right angle entry from Baby Bob to Big Bob. It's looks so weird to me.

I really sort of agree. But I can justify it in my head at least.

And I hate it less I hate having nothing. So there is that.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue May 11, 2021 4:53 pm

I think this Baby Bob will be just fine. We got to remember these are just initial renderings as well. I can guess there might be a little discrepancy in matching simply because the materials used will be brand new. However, I would expect that not to be too much of an issue after a year or two of weathering. Also, I do agree with too much of a curved transition it would present a safety issue with oncoming cyclists merging full speed into a new lane of traffic that would not necessarily be visible. Best to slow those bikes down a bit at that point and if this design does that I am OK with it. In any case, since I do use the riverfront quite frequently I was so pleased when this was finally announced. This will be such an asset to locals not to mention convention attendees and events like the CWS. Now I can finally realize my decade long dream of having a coffee at Rally and a movie at Film Streams coupled with a direct walk over to the Bob - lol.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:39 am

So far no evidence of Baby Bob starting. Not sure how long this will take to build but I am guessing two years might be the case. I believe they wanted to have it done at the same time as everything else which would put it at fall of 2023. Would maybe expect to be seeing at least surveying start pretty soon wouldn't you think?

Post by **BRoss** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 4:52 pm

omahahawk wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:39 am So far no evidence of Baby Bob starting. Not sure how long this will take to build but I am guessing two years might be the case. I believe they wanted to have it done at the same time as everything else which would put it at fall of 2023. Would maybe expect to be seeing at least surveying start pretty soon wouldn't you think?

Looks like the draft CIP came out yesterday. On page 52 it says the estimated construction year is 2022-2023.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:14 pm

Vandals damage lights on Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Vandals have damaged the lights on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, according to the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department.

As a result, the programmable LED lights on the upper portion of the bridge will be off for the foreseeable future, the department said in a Facebook post.

The main lights on the lower portion of the bridge have been repaired, which means that the public can continue to use to the bridge, according to the department.

https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and- ... the-latest

*sigh*....really?

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:37 am

MECA better be supplying the security they’ve promised once the downtown park system renovation is completed.

That’s going to be an awful lot of targets for |expletive| like this.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 7:54 am

Hooligans have been around as long as there have been nice things easily capable of being damaged or destroyed. It is one of the things that separates humans from the remainder of the animal kingdom. Whether it is mailboxes smashed, cars “keyed”, houses “egged”, etc. It’s the sad intersection of boredom, aimlessness, a lack of initiative, and no positive role models.
I hope these hoodlums are identified and prosecuted and made to pay for the repairs out of their $9 per hour jobs for the next 10 years. Yes, the bridge should have video monitoring…it’s so easy and inexpensive to do. But it’s sad that the city needs to anticipate such activities in the first place.

Jins123 · Post by **Jins123** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:01 am

NEDodger wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:37 am MECA better be supplying the security they’ve promised once the downtown park system renovation is completed.

That’s going to be an awful lot of targets for |expletive| like this.

I honestly thought they had it. They installed some I thought a few years ago. I thought it was some sort of thing with OPD cause if bridge jumping incidents.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:49 am

Yes, this is sad. I agree, I can't help but think of the promised security around all the new features downtown, hopefully they do it, otherwise the features there will probably get damaged as well.

Hopefully one of the big organizations in Omaha can step up and fund the bridge light repairs. (I think they need to do everything they can to safeguard this from happening again...maybe a cage or something over the control panel)

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:03 am

For the 'foreseeable future'. Must have been really bad damage.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:37 am

skinzfan23 wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:49 am Yes, this is sad. I agree, I can't help but think of the promised security around all the new features downtown, hopefully they do it, otherwise the features there will probably get damaged as well.

Hopefully one of the big organizations in Omaha can step up and fund the bridge light repairs. (I think they need to do everything they can to safeguard this from happening again...maybe a cage or something over the control panel)

Couldn't agree more. I was also thinking this damage must have been more on the electronic end rather than simply smashing some foot lights if they were able take out the lights on top of the bridge.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 11:01 am

There are cameras on the actual bridge, but I think the controls for the lights are down on the ground on the Omaha side.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 11:11 am

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Tue Dec 07, 2021 12:41 pm

Coyote wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 11:11 am

Thanks. The big detail I guess is the $90,000 in damages. Being the parks department, that feels like a huge amount of money.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 3:39 pm

I see the police have made an Arrest in the vandalism case. I know that doesn’t fix the lights but good to see someone will be healed accountable.

WorldStreet · Post by **WorldStreet** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 6:04 pm

Brad wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 3:39 pm I see the police have made an Arrest in the vandalism case. I know that doesn’t fix the lights but good to see someone will be healed accountable.

Yes, I also glad to hear that they arrested someone. Hopefully he isn't free again anytime soon.
News story of arrest

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 10:21 pm

A 42 year old guy with tattoos on his forehead. Sounds like they have their guy.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 8:47 am

Yep, only question now is how long the bridge will be dark. Considering the cost of damage I'm thinking the "forseable future" could be 6 - 12 months or possibly until the completion of Lewis and Clark portion of redevelopment. Just hope they can make things a little more vandalism proof so we're not reading about this kind of thing happening again anytime soon.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:45 am

From the W-H—

“David Orlawski, 42, was arrested Friday evening on suspicion of causing felony criminal mischief worth more than $5,000. Police said Orlawski has an outstanding felony warrant out of Council Bluffs for the same incident.

Investigators obtained a video that showed a male wearing a dark suit coat, pants and baseball cap damaging property at the bridge.

Since the vandalism occurred, the bridge’s main lower lights have been repaired, allowing people to continue using the bridge. In a Facebook post Monday, the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department said the programmable LED lights on the bridge’s upper portion will be off for the foreseeable future.“

What an A$$ hat (allegedly)..

The complete W-H story link:

https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and- ... e-trending

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Dec 13, 2021 8:07 am

The "long term" part of it may very well be supply chain issues. I guarantee where I manage maintenance at some things that used to be a couple of weeks out can be months out right now.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri Dec 17, 2021 5:45 pm

I noticed that the lights are on tonight, not the very top lights but everyone else is. I wonder if they got a donation or they just quickly fixed it

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Dec 17, 2021 6:39 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 5:45 pm I noticed that the lights are on tonight, not the very top lights but everyone else is. I wonder if they got a donation or they just quickly fixed it

I’ll go with both- a hefty donation and a quick fix…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Sat Dec 18, 2021 9:09 am

Either way, great to see it lit up again so quickly.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Sat Dec 18, 2021 10:18 am

Thank you all who made this possible.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:11 pm

I'll say this: it NOT being lit was rather depressing after having seen it lit for so long. Crossing the river and seeing it lit last night was definitely nice to see.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 10:00 am

thenewguy wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:11 pm I'll say this: it NOT being lit was rather depressing after having seen it lit for so long. Crossing the river and seeing it lit last night was definitely nice to see.

I agree...crazy how quickly it has become a staple and iconic for our metro.

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 10:47 am

skinzfan23 wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 10:00 am
thenewguy wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:11 pm I'll say this: it NOT being lit was rather depressing after having seen it lit for so long. Crossing the river and seeing it lit last night was definitely nice to see.
I agree...crazy how quickly it has become a staple and iconic for our metro.

With good design, architecture can instantly be iconic. Big Bob, for Omaha, is one of those things.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 6:55 am

Top lights are on in the Nebraska side tower this morning

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:15 am

Garrett wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 6:55 am Top lights are on in the Nebraska side tower this morning

I hope it’s lit in time for Omaha’s annual party for children a/k/a the 7 pm “New Years” fireworks celebration.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 10:34 am

It's good to see the lights come back more quickly than expected however, I wish they'd "fix" the lighting scheme software. The lights rolling and changing independently look tacky and broken...a scheme better suited for a strip club or casino. Take a nod from Chicago where Hancock and Willis are thematically illuminated with holidays and causes. E.G. St. Patrick's, X-mas, breast cancer, pride, first responders, etc.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 11:43 am

I have thought the same thing as well. They seem to act independent of each other at times and looks like they don't know what they are doing. It looked fine at Christmas when they were rolling from red to green, but there are many other times when they do that but the tops don't match the bottom lights at all.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 06, 2022 8:51 am

Ukrainians, supporters chant and sing in solidarity at Bob Kerrey Bridge

Ukrainians, supporters chant and sing in solidarity at Bob Kerrey Bridge

ItsAllAboutMe · Post by **ItsAllAboutMe** » Wed Mar 09, 2022 8:55 am

I'm really hoping to see the start of the "Baby Bob" this spring.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Wed Mar 09, 2022 9:35 am

I'm trying to remember where we even are with this. It was supposed to be done some time this year from memory, and now that's obviously not the case.

Did we even get a final design yet? I think it was just the one preliminary design.