This bridge,1.5 miles south of I-80 exit 285 in Buffalo County, provides a parking area and viewing platform (Central Platte Natural Resource District, Richard Plautz Viewing Site) for watching crane roosting flights. The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) has led a task force in providing a series of crane viewing decks for use by visitors. The decks provide a safe area to view cranes and other wildlife on the Platte River. Best times for viewing are sunset and sunrise. Cranes, herons, egrets, pelicans, waterfowl, song sparrows and a host of other birds can be seen comfortably from this wooden observation deck. Be careful to avoid standing on the bridge itself, where traffic can be quite fast.

Gibbon Bridge Crane Viewing Platform  Photo by Linda R. Brown

Gibbon Bridge Viewing Platform Crane Sunset  Phot by Linda R. Brown