Bridge Lighting Concerns
WHY IS BINGE DRINKING IN NEBRASKA HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE? REIGNING IN THE BINGE, TONIGHT AT 10 ONLY ON THE CHANNEL 6 NEWS.
Save Email Print
Updated: 11:27 AM Jun 21, 2007
Bridge Lighting Concerns
A deadly hit-and-run three weeks ago has raised concerns about the stretch of the I-480 bridge where the tragedy happened. The roadway is dark.
Posted: 10:29 PM Jun 18, 2007
Font Size:

A deadly hit-and-run three weeks ago has raised concerns about the stretch of the I-480 bridge where the tragedy happened.

The roadway is dark.

Six On Your Side heard from viewers about the problems.

"The lighting along here does seem to be a little bit dim," says Dave Jacobs.

Jacobs knows the I-480 bridge well.

He drives over it routinely in his tow truck.

He says at times it doesn't always seem that safe.

Jacobs says "It's not well lit, it's not well lit. It's awful tough because traffic goes up and merges and sometimes the lighting at night is worse that others."

Council Bluffs police noticed that when 22-year-old Robert Fry lost his life as a pedestrian on the Interstate 480 bridge, two lights weren't working.

Channel 6 News checked the scene a week after the tragedy and found the area still dark with several lights out.

The Nebraska Department of Roads is in charge of the keeping the lights up and running on the bridge.

The department in turn hires OPPD to do maintenance on the lights.

Council Bluffs police say they don't know whether more lighting would have protected Robert Fry.

But, Dave Jacobs says you can never have too much lighting, especially when it comes to public safety.

"It's one of those issues that the lightening is down far enough that is needs to be taken care fixed up or repaired," says Jacobs.

Jeff Rolle is the man accused of hitting and killing Robert Fry.

Rolle’s attorney says Jeff was looking to merge into traffic and thought he hit an animal not a person.

A spokesperson for OPPD says crews are looking at the lights again.

OPPD says it's important people let the utility know about lights that are burned out or not working.

You can even make a report by logging onto the utility's website.

  • OPPD Web site


  • Special Sections