(Omaha, Nebraska/KETV) – An estimated $90,000 damage occurred to the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge early Monday morning, when vandals struck the structure that crosses the Missouri River, and connects Omaha/Council. Officials with the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department said on social media, that a person or persons unknown knocked out the LED system “for the foreseeable future.” Police said it appeared a rock had been thrown at the boxes, damaging the computer controls housed inside.

Access to the bridge will continue, but the system that programs the colored LED lights is off line. Omaha Parks & Rec said “It is disheartening to see this kind of action taken against one of our iconic city features. We ask our community and visitors to help us preserve and respect these special landmarks and facilities.”

The main lights on the lower portion of the bridge were repaired. The LED lighting system and digital controls were installed in 2019 at a cost of $720,000. The upgrade also included more security cameras, but it’s unclear if the cameras caught the vandalism.