116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Eighth Avenue Bridge replacement to delay white water rafting, pump station projects
The delay results in the loss of $3 million in state funding for the two smaller infrastructure projects, although the city is eligible to reapply at a later date.
Nov. 24, 2025 6:30 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS — Amid a flurry of infrastructure improvements along the Cedar River, two Cedar Rapids projects have been delayed to allow for the timely construction of a “critical” part of the city’s flood control system.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority on Friday approved the city’s amended reinvestment district plan to allow for the removal of two project components — a new pump station and a 5-in-1 dam bypass — given changes to the projects’ timelines.
Both have been delayed to allow for timely construction of the Eighth Avenue Bridge replacement, which last year received a $56.4 million federal grant. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and last through 2030.
During that time, IEDA documents state the city must install a “cofferdam” in the riverway. That dam — necessary to create a safe, dry work environment for construction crews — would significantly interfere with the pump station and 5-in-1 dam bypass projects.
As a result, city staff opted to delay those two, relatively smaller projects to allow for the larger bridge replacement.
“The replacement of the Eighth Avenue Bridge is integral to the completion of the flood control system and critical to preserving a local traffic route through downtown when the system is deployed during flood events,” a city-issued statement reads.
Both the pump station and dam bypass channel were included in the city’s original reinvestment plan that received IEDA approval in 2022. At that time, the state pledged a maximum of $9 million toward the project.
The amended plan reduces state investment to $6 million given the reduction in project scope. Per the city’s economic development staff, the city is eligible to reapply for state grant funding for those projects in the future.
“Due to the new schedule, we worked with IEDA staff at their request to remove those two projects from our application,” the city’s statement reads. “The city is ready to partner with the state to complete them when schedules allow.”
The Eighth Avenue SW pump station project is a complement to the city’s larger investment into its flood control system. The dam bypass project aims to modify the 5-in-1 dam below Interstate 380 to offer white-water and flat-water features in separate channels, alongside other amenities.
Economic development staff estimate that project implementation for both will begin after the completion of the Eighth Avenue bridge replacement, with planning continuing in the interim as resources allow.
The amended plan does not affect other portions of the initial reinvestment initiative, such as the construction of a city-owned parking ramp near Kingston Village or investments into nearby mixed-use and entertainment amenities.
Comments: grace.nieland@thegazette.com
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