Residents offer input on plans for potential new Missouri River bridge and Council Bluffs streetcar

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa. (WOWT) - Council Bluffs officials call it a “once-in-a generation opportunity.” They’re talking about what could come of The Linkages Study, which is exploring new ways to connect Council Bluffs and Omaha.

The study recommends a new bridge over the Missouri River, possibly a streetcar, and new bus options. As the project continues to take form, residents are getting a better picture of what it’ll look like in their community. Still, they have questions.

“The thing that brought me out here is to see where the thoughts are on where this is potentially going to go and how it’s going to affect the various resources that we have, especially Dodge Riverside Golf Course,” said Council Bluffs resident, Diane Storey.

She said she’s also concerned that one of the proposed routes of new transportation cuts through a Council Bluffs high school.

David Young called the project “ambitious.”

“We’ll see where the money comes from,” he said.

The three river crossing concepts the study proposes includes a north, central, and south route.

The north option would be a Missouri River crossing north of the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge and tie into a northern location in Council Bluffs. The central option would cross the river via the existing I-480 bridge or build a new one. That could connect the north side of Council Bluffs’ Dodge Riverside Golf Club to near Omaha’s Heartland of America Park. The third, south option would cross the river on the Union Pacific Railroad bridge or create a new crossing near there. That route would be near Harrah’s Council Bluffs Hotel and Casino or the south side of Dodge Riverside Golf Club and connect to the southern side of downtown Omaha near the Old Market.

With Dodge Riverside Golf Club an area for potential redevelopment, one man raised safety concerns about the area. Randall Behm was born and raised in Council Bluffs and used to supervise the US Army Corps of Engineers’ floodplain management.

“I’m not against anything that they’re planning right now,” said Behm. “Actually, I support the idea of a streetcar if it connects to the one in Omaha, but I just hope that within Dodge Park that they consider developing it with fill material. Pockets of areas that would be filled up above any flood elevation.”

Currently, the city is the second of four phases for the project. The next phase of the study looks at cost and funding opportunities.

Those who wish to voice their opinions can find the city’s survey here. The public comment period will be open until Oct. 25.

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