Mayors of Omaha and Council Bluffs will celebrate the completion of the tall pylons of the new pedestrian bridge that will span the Missouri River between the two cities.

The pylons were illuminated Thursday night during a "topping off" ceremony.

It's a project that's been more than 10 years in the making. Two hundred feet above the water, the pedestrian bridge stands to become a focal point of two river cities and those who like to walk along the Missouri River.

“The Omaha side seems to be developing really nicely,” says Julie Ekstrum of Omaha. “I really look forward to seeing what Iowa has to offer."

Omaha does have some elaborate plans, including a $2 million plaza, plus another high-rise tower of luxury condos at Riverfront Place. “Fifteen-story building with 56 condominiums," says Ben Proctor of NP Dodge. “All the homes themselves will have balconies, view of the Missouri River, the pedestrian bridge and the city skyline."

Over in Council Bluffs, development is trickier because a quarter-mile of the riverfront sits in a flood plane.

“What we'd like to do is develop a park atmosphere, performing arts, somewhere you could get out, soccer field, baseball diamonds, something where you can run up and down the river," says Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan.

City leaders say the pedestrian bridge will bring big strides for both communities. “If it causes some sort of economic development in the long run it will be worthwhile, but that's yet to be seen,” says Eckstrum.

Some other plans include more development in Council Bluffs, including housing and commercial space.

Restaurants on both sides of the river will open for business sometime after the bridge opens in November of next year.