In 1901, the bridge was targeted as part of a consolidation effort to bring together the street railway, electric light, and water utilities under public authority.

Between that, levee building, and channelization of the river, starting in the 1950s the Iowa side of the bridge has spanned dry land, and the double swing became unnecessary.

In the 1970s the bridge the swing mechanism on the Iowa side was damaged in a fire of the equipment housing.

In the winter the Iowa side of the bridge would be swung open and closed by hooking a cable up to a bulldozer pulling it.

Today the Iowa half is permanently wenched open to allow river traffic to cruise through without interruption.

All railroad traffic through the Council Bluffs/Omaha area now crosses via the Union Pacific Missouri River Bridge.