Announced on Wednesday, December 15, the United States Postal Service will feature the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge on a postage stamp in 2023! This beloved bridge connects Omaha, Nebraska, to Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River.
The stamp will be one of four new presorted first-class stamps designed by art director Ethel Kessler. The other designs feature four other bridges, showcasing modern, historic, pedestrian, and car-carrying structures. (Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown, CT; the Skydance Bridge in Oklahoma City; and the Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge in Bettendorf, IA, and Moline, IL).
According to USPS, the new stamps will be available to purchase by bulk mail users in 3,000 and 10,000.
The 3,000-foot-long and 15-foot-wide bridge opened on September 28, 2008, and was the first pedestrian bridge that connected two states. It allows walkers, runners, and bicyclists to access 150 miles of trails within the metro. The bridge provides impressive views of the Missouri River, downtown Omaha, and the unique public art on the Council Bluffs side of the river.
On the Iowa side of the bridge, you’ll find Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, which hosts major annual events, Belles’ Play Garden, and two pieces of art from the Iowa West Public Art Collection. On the Nebraska side, you’ll find OMAR, a friendly troll that all the kiddos love!
While visiting the bridge, don’t forget to go “bobbing” – striking a pose while standing in two states simultaneously! For those who love challenges, try out Bob’s 0.9k Challenge. Walk or run across the bridge, take a selfie, and receive an official marathoner sticker at the Omaha Visitor Center (1001 Farnam Street).
Be sure to follow Bob the Bridge on Instagram and use #ItHappensonBob and #UnleashCB when posting your selfies online!
