Iowa City OKs initial Burlington Street Bridge design concept

Plan calls for modifications of existing dam and separated bike lanes

Renderings of a concept for the Burlington Street Bridge project in Iowa City, which will look to replace the bridge and related infrastructure. The multi-year construction period, whose price is roughly estimated at $70 million, is expected to begin in 2029. (City of Iowa City) — Renderings of a concept for the Burlington Street Bridge project in Iowa City, which will look to replace the bridge and related infrastructure. The multiyear construction period, whose price is roughly estimated at $70 million, is expected to begin in 2029. (City of Iowa City)

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IOWA CITY — The Iowa City Council has approved an initial design concept to replace the Burlington Street Bridge and develop other infrastructure under and around the structure, which serves as a major connector between the west side of Iowa City and downtown.

The design concept calls for the development of a singular beam bridge, as opposed to the separate eastbound and westbound bridges currently in place, and it includes separated pedestrian and bike paths. Plans also call for modification of the existing Burlington Street Bridge Dam and the creation of a west side transit hub.

The project, which consultants say is roughly estimated to cost $70 million, is currently scheduled to begin its multiyear construction period in 2029. The design concept is not a final plan, but the first step needed to allow project engineers to begin the next phase of the project.

The structure has multiple owners. The dam, built in 1906, is owned by the University of Iowa. The eastbound bridge, built in 1915 and restored in 1986, is owned by the City of Iowa City, while the westbound bridge, which was built in 1969, is owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Funding sources for the project, as well as cost-sharing agreements between entities, and ownership of certain infrastructure have yet to be finalized.

Renderings of a concept for the Burlington Street Bridge project, which will look to replace the bridge and related infrastructure. The multi-year construction period is projected to begin in 2029. (City of Iowa City) — Renderings of a concept for the Burlington Street Bridge project, which will look to replace the bridge and related infrastructure. The multiyear construction period is projected to begin in 2029. (City of Iowa City)

Beam bridge concept advanced

Last fall, Iowa City hired a consultant, Cedar Rapids-based HDR, for $1.18 million, to begin the process of planning to replace the Burlington Street Bridge, which was identified as “structurally deficient” in 2021.

The firm gathered a technical advisory committee — comprised of consultants and stakeholders on the project — in an effort to develop a preliminary design for the bridge.

Beyond the entities that own the infrastructure, the stakeholders impacted by the project include Municipal Planning Organization of Johnson County, EMS, area transit agencies, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, tourism and economic development representatives, and biking groups in the area.

“What the committee advanced and thought was the best alternative was a steel or concrete beam bridge. It was the most cost economical option, it’s contextual for the area. It allows the bridge to be staged. It improves the bicycle and pedestrian comfort and connectivity, enhances that river recovery and maintains the current use,” Mike Kurek, senior project manager at HDR, said at a city council meeting Tuesday.

The roller dam and bridges on the Iowa River at Burlington Street are seen in Iowa City on Aug. 26, 2025. The dam is owned by the University of Iowa while the Iowa Department of Transportation and City of Iowa City each own one of the bridges. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Proposal includes modifications to Burlington Street Dam

Modifications to the dam, which is the last dam on the Iowa River before it joins the Mississippi River, have been a topic of public discussion for years, but have intensified as discussions about bridge replacement have progressed.

Issues such as existing utility lines within the dam, safety concerns, environmental impact and potential recreational opportunities were all taken into account. Dams present risk of drowning, and multiple deaths have occurred in the area.

Consultants considered all options for the dam, including complete removal and leaving it as it stands. While the exact plans for the dam aren’t yet finalized, the concept calls for some form of modification.

Any modifications would not change the pool elevation, thus ensuring that the city’s water supply and alluvial wells are not negatively impacted.

Should cost allow, the initial concept design shows the possibility of a passage through the dam, which would open up more recreation opportunities below the dam.

“I think we should continue to keep that as part of the project and make it as safe as possible,” said Iowa City Council member Josh Moe. “Because as we're thinking about how awesome this could be, I think we shortcut that one piece, and suddenly we think about different safety features and all kinds of other elements … hopefully we can make this not only something that looks good and something we can actually use.”

Map of a concept for the Burlington Street Bridge project, which will look to replace the bridge and related infrastructure. The project is exploring the potential of a dedicated pedestrian area. (City of Iowa City)

Pedestrian ramp, west side transit hub

The design concept details a new pedestrian ramp to replace the existing spiral ramp that is not ADA compliant. Protected bike lanes and pedestrian access along the river and under the bridge also are included in the concept.

Plans call for the establishment of a dedicated transit hub and a pedestrian-only access area. The design concept also explores the possible realignments of the Melrose Avenue and the Byington Road/Grand Avenue corridor that connects Burlington Street Bridge to the west side of the University of Iowa’s campus.

“We have the dedicated roadway to the hospital, so that transit hub is really offset for the main roadway,” Kurek said at the council meeting. “Cambus, Iowa City Bus, wouldn't be in the main roadway space, they have their own pull off. You'd have students being able to get to and from those buses without having to cross over the main roadway.”

Any roadway changes are general concepts at this point and are likely to change, Kurek said.

Next Steps

A final design is expected in fall 2028, with a construction contract to be awarded that year.

Construction would begin in Spring 2029 and would likely take multiple years. There is not yet a set plan on whether portions of the bridge will be open throughout construction.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com

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