116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
CRANDIC Bridge coming down, clearing way for new pedestrian-bike bridge
Old bridge to be removed this fall, new bridge to be complete in 2025
CEDAR RAPIDS — It’s time to awaken the “Sleeping Giant.”
The demolition of the old Cedar Rapids and Iowa City — CRANDIC — Railway Bridge will begin this fall to clear a path for a new bridge that’s part of the $20 million ConnectCR project.
The old bridge partially collapsed in the 2008 flood and is being removed for the new Alliant Energy LightLine pedestrian-bike bridge spanning the Cedar River near Mount Trashmore. Once complete, the bridge — previously dubbed the “Sleeping Giant” — will connect the New Bohemia and Czech Village districts.
ConnectCR, city of Cedar Rapids officials, representatives from Alliant Energy and ITC Midwest, donors and other community supporters gathered atop Mount Trashmore on Thursday to celebrate the milestone with the bridge demolition. Instead of detonators, the supporters used bike pumps to blow up bicycle tubes as a celebratory explosion.
The Cedar Rapids City Council recently approved a contract for Anamosa-based Boomerang Corp. to complete the demolition for $631,700.30 later this fall.
The ‘Sleeping Giant’
“Today we are awakening the Sleeping Giant,” said Steve Sovern, ConnectCR board member and an early proponent of the bridge. “It’s been kind of a cocoon to become the butterfly of Alliant LightLine, and it's a big day in a long road.”
Sovern said ConnectCR is exploring design options for historical panels that will feature components of the old bridge and contain information about the area’s industrial, manufacturing and agricultural history. The historical panels will be placed east of the bridge in a parklike area.
Mayor Pro Tem Ann Poe said the signage will educate future generations about the old bridge’s significance with connecting workers to housing and jobs across the Cedar River.
“We know these projects will infuse additional investment in our downtown core and in The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia,” Poe said.
The bridge and its 165-foot tower will be LED-lit with the support of an ITC Midwest donation. The lighting is intended to create an iconic image and destination near the base of Mount Trashmore.
The pedestrian-bike bridge will offer space for people of all ages and abilities to bike or walk. Visitors can view the city skyline from the bridge’s west side where the tower will be located.
Crews will break ground on the new bridge in 2024, with completion slated for 2025.
Cedar Lake plans
In addition to the new bridge, ConnectCR is working to revitalize Cedar Lake to the north of downtown. That transformation will add a boardwalk extending out over the 120-acre lake, wetlands on the north shore, paddle sport launch locations, floating islands, a challenge course and enhanced park entrances.
Currently, water is being drained from Cedar Lake while a new flood control levee is built on the lake’s west side. Lake improvements also are anticipated to be completed in 2025.
ConnectCR will improve upon the existing Cedar Valley Nature Trail — which passes through Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Cedar Falls — while also creating a better connection to two coast-to-coast trails: The American Discovery Trail and the Great American Rail-Trail.
Rod Pritchard, marketing and communications manager for ITC Midwest, said the project provides amenities that will keep future generations in Cedar Rapids and help companies like ITC Midwest attract talented employees to the workforce.
“That is so important for our economy,” he said. “I often talk to the young people we bring into the company, and they're looking for activities, they're looking for things to do outdoors, they're looking for exercise. This project fits hand in glove with what our new employees are seeking these days.”
As the city’s largest public-private partnership, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said ConnectCR represents what can happen when public and private sectors and the community work together to do good in the region.
The city committed $5 million to the project, which will improve community health and honor local history, he said.
“This is a unique project that will build on the quality of life of our community in Cedar Rapids,” Pomeranz said.
Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com
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