The $22 million, 3,000-foot bridge (pictured at right) will include two 200-foot-tall towers and cables that will hold the bridge 52 feet above the Missouri River. The bridge will span from Omaha's riverfront to a landing on the levee in Council Bluffs. Its three-sided towers and cables will be lit at night, creating a picturesque setting between the two cities.

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey's office extended the invitation to Team Kaos to attend the groundbreaking as a representative of Omaha's cycling community. Team Kaos is one of the Midwest's leading bike racing teams and actively promotes cycling as a healthy lifestyle through its educational clinics and safety seminars in schools.

Mayor Fahey selected the twin towers and cables bridge design, which was designed by HNTB Corporation of Kansas City, Mo., and will be built by APAC-Kansas from Kansas City, Kan.

Team Kaos conducted an online survey of Omaha-area bicyclists to gauge their opinion of which one of three designs should be used. A review committee that participated in the design decision stated they felt the two towers symbolized the partnership between Omaha and Council Bluffs.

Both Mayor Fahey and Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan feel the bridge will be an economic boost for both communities and serve as a vital link in connecting the nearly 150 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails that run along both sides of the river.

The bridge will be funded mainly by a $19 million federal grant that was awarded for the project in 2000. State and private funds will make up the remainder of the cost.