Sutliff Bridge design work progressing

The preliminary design of a renovated Sutliff Bridge is complete.

Work on the final design will begin next week, with the goal of finishing it in July. Construction is scheduled to start this fall and wrap up in August 2012, Tim McDermott of VJ Engineering told the Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Thursday.

The Coralville firm is handling the design and construction management for the project.

Sutliff Bridge had spanned the Cedar River in the northeast corner of the county before one-third of it was swept away in the flood of 2008. The structure opened in 1898 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Federal and state funds will cover the cost to replace the damaged part of the bridge, estimated at $1.7 million, plus about $440,000 to bring it up to code.

A construction estimate will come during the final design process, McDermott said.

The bridge is to be rebuilt in a design similar to what existed before the flood. McDermott reinforced that in a brief presentation Thursday, saying the approach spans and truss spans will be nearly identical to the original structure.

VJ Engineering is recommending a 3-foot-6-inch steel picket fence handrail running along both sides of the bridge deck.

A community meeting will be held in the coming weeks so people can give their input on the design.