Mormon Bridge (Omaha) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mormon Bridge |
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Mormon Bridge from Omaha, Nebraska going into Iowa. The original bridge is the east bound bridge on the right.
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| Coordinates | 41°20′44″N 95°57′26″W / 41.345556°N 95.957222°W |
| Carries | 4 lanes of  I-680 |
| Crosses | Missouri River |
| Locale | Pottawattamie County, Iowa and Florence, Nebraska |
| Other name(s) | Missouri River I-680 Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Twin Cantilever Through truss bridge |
| Total length | 1,603.1 feet (489 m) |
| Longest span | 128 m |
| Clearance above | 18.1 feet (6 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1952 (eastbound) 1975 (westbound) |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 7,845 |
The Mormon Bridge is actually two bridges that cross the Missouri River. These bridges connect Pottawattamie County, Iowa with Florence in Omaha, Nebraska. They are part of Interstate 680 (Iowa-Nebraska). The official name is the Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge. It got this name because it is located near the historic Mormon Trail.
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Building the Mormon Bridge: A Look Back
The area where the Mormon Bridge now stands has been a crossing point for a very long time. In 1846, a group called the Mormons used a ferry here. This ferry was an important part of the Mormon Trail, a path they followed.
Early Attempts to Build a Bridge
People tried to build a bridge here many times. In 1856, a company called the Florence Bridge Company tried. They even got permission from the United States Congress. But they could not finish the bridge because they ran out of money.
Later, in 1872, the Union Pacific Missouri River Bridge company looked at this spot. In 1885, construction actually began on a bridge for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway. However, that project was also stopped. More attempts were made in 1922 and 1936, but a bridge was not completed until the 1950s.
Why It Took So Long to Build
Building a bridge over a large river like the Missouri used to be very difficult. Before 1946, you needed special permission from the United States Congress. This was because the river was a "navigable waterway," meaning boats could travel on it.
In 1946, a new law called the General Bridge Act was passed. This law made it easier for states to build bridges over navigable waters. It allowed public groups to build and manage bridges. This new law helped the State of Nebraska create the North Omaha Bridge Commission. This commission then started the process to build the bridge we see today.
The Bridge Opens and Expands
The first Mormon Bridge was officially opened on June 1, 1953. Construction had started in May 1951. This bridge connected Nebraska Highway 36 with Iowa Highway 988.
When it first opened, the bridge was a toll bridge. This means drivers had to pay a fee to cross it. The money collected from tolls helped pay back the $3.45 million that was borrowed to build the bridge.
In 1975, a second bridge was added next to the original one. This new bridge was built to the north. On April 21, 1979, the tolls were stopped. Spencer W. Kimball, who was the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the last person to pay the toll. After this, the Mormon Bridge became part of the Interstate Highway System, which is a network of major highways across the United States.
Recent Updates to the Bridge
In 2018, the original bridge got a big update. This project cost $11 million. Workers cleaned off old lead paint and fixed parts of the bridge deck. They also put down a new asphalt driving surface. These updates help keep the bridge safe and smooth for drivers.
