Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Part Two)

[skinzfan23]

With the announcement of the streetcar on 10th St, I would think that would only help to make this come to fruition to have a connector to the Bob.

[omahahawk]

It is supposed to be completed by Summer 2023 which I believe is the approximate timeline for completion of L and C landing so I imagine construction would begin this summer or no later than fall.

[Omaha Cowboy]

From today’s W-H-

“The North Downtown Riverfront Connector Bridge, also known as the "Baby Bob," will expand downtown Omaha’s iconic 3,000-foot pedestrian bridge. The project is meant to increase access between north downtown and the riverfront.

With City Council approval on Tuesday, the city will pay up to $235,411 to HNTB Corporation for design engineering services related to the project.

The North Downtown Riverfront Connector Bridge is planned to span Riverfront Drive and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, connecting the 13-year-old Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge to a point near the intersection of 10th and Mike Fahey Streets.

The “Baby Bob” Pedestrian Connector Bridge would connect major destinations in north downtown, including TD Ameritrade Park, the CHI Health Center and Creighton University, according to plans outlined by the City of Omaha.”..

The complete W-H story link:

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

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[skinzfan23]

Good news to finally hear something on this.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Good news to finally hear something on this.

Agreed. It’s been a long time coming..

Looks like we’re finally primed to get this constructed…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

I can't express how happy this makes me!

Soon, I dream of hopping on the trails in downtown or midtown, and having a non-stop bike and pedestrian first route to the river, through CB and back!

[ita]

Good news to finally hear something on this.

Agreed. It’s been a long time coming..

Looks like we’re finally primed to get this constructed…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I wonder if the City is able to start this year? This can't come soon enough. I am happy about the progress though. Let's see how the final design turns out.

[Athomsfere]

Good news to finally hear something on this.

Agreed. It’s been a long time coming..

Looks like we’re finally primed to get this constructed…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I wonder if the City is able to start this year? This can't come soon enough. I am happy about the progress though. Let's see how the final design turns out.

HNTB's Tilikum Crossing looks like a great comparison. Scale it down for Omaha's requirements (Street car, bikes and ped).

It's cable stayed, which I don't know why I want a cable stayed bridge here... and complements the Bob well.

HNBT says the completed on time and under budget for "tight schedule", but it took over 4 years. Being the same company as the one who built the Bob though... I'd say whatever the experience was there, we can expect more.

[TransitOriented]

I'm assuming it's just going to be a no-frills bridge with extremely minimal decorative bits. Has anyone seen anything that points to it being "pretty"?

[Athomsfere]

I'm assuming it's just going to be a no-frills bridge with extremely minimal decorative bits. Has anyone seen anything that points to it being "pretty"?

For whatever reason, I was mixing the baby bob and the new bridge up.

Yes, the baby bob is probably less interesting design wise.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Good news to finally hear something on this.

Agreed. It’s been a long time coming..

Looks like we’re finally primed to get this constructed…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I wonder if the City is able to start this year? This can't come soon enough. I am happy about the progress though. Let's see how the final design turns out.

I’d love it see it this year, but I suspect construction might not start until 2023..No doubt, it can’t come soon enough…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

I do wish Baby Bob was part of the original design process, but I won't complain. Any Baby Bob at all is better than nothing.

[skinzfan23]

Here are the renderings that were posted from last year:





Probably going to be very similar in style to the MLK bridge just to the south over the railroad tracks.

[omahahawk]

The fact that HNTB Corporation designed the original pedestrian bridge bodes very well for this project as they were originally chosen for their ability to bring in a good design on budget. They succeeded very well and I fully expect this new design to be far more than utilitarian. Having experience with the original project and a proven track record I am sure the design of the Baby Bob will be very complimentary to the original structure. Can't wait for this. It will be great when catching the streetcar at 10th and Cass.

[Coyote]

'Baby Bob' extension bridge will connect riverfront to north downtown Omaha



Bike advocates say they're excited for the bridge extension project to finally move forward, saying it'll make Omaha more accessible and welcoming.

[GetUrban]

The fact that HNTB Corporation designed the original pedestrian bridge bodes very well for this project as they were originally chosen for their ability to bring in a good design on budget. They succeeded very well and I fully expect this new design to be far more than utilitarian. Having experience with the original project and a proven track record I am sure the design of the Baby Bob will be very complimentary to the original structure. Can't wait for this. It will be great when catching the streetcar at 10th and Cass.

I agree that HNTB did a good job adapting the original Figg/BVH design to get it done on budget. The original Figg/BVH design did have the “Bob” connector as a bid alternate, but unfortunately bids came in 3 times the original $23 million budget, even without the bob alternate. HNTB won the second design-build effort by reducing the deck width to 15’ from 20’ and straightening-out the “S” currve a bit and building it out of steel instead of the original cast-in-place concrete. But we’re very lucky they were able adapt the original design.

[ita]

I'm assuming it's just going to be a no-frills bridge with extremely minimal decorative bits. Has anyone seen anything that points to it being "pretty"?

For whatever reason, I was mixing the baby bob and the new bridge up.

Yes, the baby bob is probably less interesting design wise.

What do you think of the Haymarket pedestrian bridge in Lincoln? Utilitarian, but serves as a place marker and has some nicely designed lighting and seating. Something like that I would personally be happy with for Baby Bob. Also, our most recent bridge spanning the highway between Creighton and the Atlas has decent design as well.

[Coyote]

Utilitarian, special, especially for those that are taking advantage of the highlights in the areas. More info coming into there?

[Stan]

This seems like a no brainer to build. There is the other pedestrian bridge from the south of CHI Health Center, but this will open up the ballpark and shops in north downtown to the illuminarium and Bob Kerrey Bridge better.

[Athomsfere]

I'm assuming it's just going to be a no-frills bridge with extremely minimal decorative bits. Has anyone seen anything that points to it being "pretty"?

For whatever reason, I was mixing the baby bob and the new bridge up.

Yes, the baby bob is probably less interesting design wise.

What do you think of the Haymarket pedestrian bridge in Lincoln? Utilitarian, but serves as a place marker and has some nicely designed lighting and seating. Something like that I would personally be happy with for Baby Bob. Also, our most recent bridge spanning the highway between Creighton and the Atlas has decent design as well.

Yes, those two are very similar!

I've never used that bridge in the Haymarket. It looks perfect for what it is to me though. A nice way to get off the street level, and get a little shade across a sea of parking, a railway, and a busy-ish street.

[ItsAllAboutMe]

I noticed a substantial amount of utility flags and markings where the baby bob will be built. Hope to see construction start this year.

[djc311]

Are they doing anything to the existing bridge given the suicide from last weekend?

[Omaha Cowboy]

I noticed a substantial amount of utility flags and markings where the baby bob will be built. Hope to see construction start this year.

Let’s hope so. It’s been long awaited…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ita]

I noticed a substantial amount of utility flags and markings where the baby bob will be built. Hope to see construction start this year.

Let’s hope so. It’s been long awaited…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I am with you. Please let this be a sign construction is finally going to start.

[MetcalfeHarrison]

I noticed a substantial amount of utility flags and markings where the baby bob will be built. Hope to see construction start this year.

Let’s hope so. It’s been long awaited…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I am with you. Please let this be a sign construction is finally going to start.

I think it is planned for bidding in December, so construction looks to start early 2023. I heard there were some issues with the initial design and the railroad so everything was pushed back a year. Some more info in the Keep Omaha Moving link below.

N. Downtown Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge

[ita]

I noticed a substantial amount of utility flags and markings where the baby bob will be built. Hope to see construction start this year.

Let’s hope so. It’s been long awaited…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I am with you. Please let this be a sign construction is finally going to start.

I think it is planned for bidding in December, so construction looks to start early 2023. I heard there were some issues with the initial design and the railroad so everything was pushed back a year. Some more info in the Keep Omaha Moving link below.

N. Downtown Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge

Nice, I wasn't keeping track of this page. Thanks for the information.

Edit: this is a bit off topic, but looking at the rendering of BKB Jr. and seeing Lot D in the foreground, has there been any previous discussions or talks about developing that surface lot? I know Lot B and even Lot A have received a lot of public and governmental interest, but what about Lot D?

[Omaha Cowboy]

I noticed a substantial amount of utility flags and markings where the baby bob will be built. Hope to see construction start this year.

Let’s hope so. It’s been long awaited…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I am with you. Please let this be a sign construction is finally going to start.

I think it is planned for bidding in December, so construction looks to start early 2023. I heard there were some issues with the initial design and the railroad so everything was pushed back a year. Some more info in the Keep Omaha Moving link below.

N. Downtown Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge

Nice, I wasn't keeping track of this page. Thanks for the information.

This link indicates construction could start in 2023-2024. Nothing more specific than that. Let’s hope that start date is earlier rather than later. We’ve been talking about the “Baby Bob” for nearly a decade now…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Coyote]

[Uffda]

Maybe it’s just the drawing but looks like a weird connection to the existing bridge. It looks in the drawing that they were ‘off’ in measurements so just made a connection from one bridge to the other instead of having a more merging line between the two.

[Brad]

Maybe it’s just the drawing but looks like a weird connection to the existing bridge. It looks in the drawing that they were ‘off’ in measurements so just made a connection from one bridge to the other instead of having a more merging line between the two.

The way they build the original bridge approach, this is probably the best way to connect the two without closing the original/main bridge. They used the interlocking blocks for the approach and would probably need to close the bridge, removed the concrete trail, rebuild the wall, and then replace the concrete trail. While the new design isn't the best for bike riders moving at a decent speed, its probably the most practical.

[Athomsfere]

Maybe it’s just the drawing but looks like a weird connection to the existing bridge. It looks in the drawing that they were ‘off’ in measurements so just made a connection from one bridge to the other instead of having a more merging line between the two.

The way they build the original bridge approach, this is probably the best way to connect the two without closing the original/main bridge. They used the interlocking blocks for the approach and would probably need to close the bridge, removed the concrete trail, rebuild the wall, and then replace the concrete trail. While the new design isn't the best for bike riders moving at a decent speed, its probably the most practical.

It might be the best for bikers too. It forces paying a little attention to bridge traffic before merging or disembarking the Bob for the baby Bob.

[Greg S]

Which gets done first, CrossRoads or Baby Bob?

[ita]

Which gets done first, CrossRoads or Baby Bob?

Hahaha, I am putting my money on Baby Bob!

[nebport5]

Maybe it’s just the drawing but looks like a weird connection to the existing bridge. It looks in the drawing that they were ‘off’ in measurements so just made a connection from one bridge to the other instead of having a more merging line between the two.

The way they build the original bridge approach, this is probably the best way to connect the two without closing the original/main bridge. They used the interlocking blocks for the approach and would probably need to close the bridge, removed the concrete trail, rebuild the wall, and then replace the concrete trail. While the new design isn't the best for bike riders moving at a decent speed, its probably the most practical.

That all makes sense except the "Big Bob" was built with aesthetics in mind and this "Little Bob" rendering while functional actually detracts from "Big Bob's" aesthetics. The point of this second bridge is getting pedestrians over the train tracks. You could terminate this bridge at or before the last support beam and let the path naturally segue under "Big Bob" into the existing curved path and it would look a helluva lot better.

[Brad]

I was thinking about something else. The might be limited on where they can tie in for grading and ADA. If they are high enough in the parking lane for a bus to get through, may be they can't ramp down to tie in anywhere else and still make ADA grades. No way to tell without seeing the a profile.

render_cam_floatview_south_2-21-2016-fnl.jpg

[Omaha Cowboy]

Which gets done first, CrossRoads or Baby Bob?

That’s, honestly, a tough call..

If both get done within the next 3 years, I’ll be happy…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

Which gets done first, CrossRoads or Baby Bob?

That’s, honestly, a tough call..

If both get done within the next 3 years, I’ll be happy…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I think the better question is which starts first... Crossroads may realistically be on an Aksarben Village type schedule, as in each building may be constructed successively, not concurrently. I think it could easily be the end of the decade before we really have an established development at Crossroads.

To answer your question specifically, the Baby Bob will most definitely be done first.

[nebport5]

I was thinking about something else. The might be limited on where they can tie in for grading and ADA. If they are high enough in the parking lane for a bus to get through, may be they can't ramp down to tie in anywhere else and still make ADA grades. No way to tell without seeing the a profile.

render_cam_floatview_south_2-21-2016-fnl.jpg

Good points. I can't speak to the grading but I'd imagine if the curve of the bridge along your ellipticals was reversed the ramp angle shouldn't be a problem for ADA.

[nativeomahan]

Which gets done first, CrossRoads or Baby Bob?

Hahaha, I am putting my money on Baby Bob!

And the Mutual building.

[mcarch]

A long time ago, there was a proposed plan to build a cover over the railroad tracks and Arena/Convention Center Loading Docs from the (what was) Qwest Center. If that was done, this would not have been needed, plus that would have made this entire area more connected.