Busy First Avenue Bridge in Cedar Rapids to get major repairs

CEDAR RAPIDS - One of the busiest city bridges over the Cedar River has been approved for major repairs that should prolong its life for years to come.

Downtown's First Avenue Bridge is the last Cedar River crossing in the city to undergo repairs after spans at Edgewood Road, E, F, Second, Third, Eighth, 12th and 16th avenues were rehabilitated in 2014.

In an October 2014 report, state inspectors said the First Avenue Bridge, which sees about 14,000 vehicles per day, needed repairs to arches, abutment piers, expansion joints and decks. City officials also identified repairs needed for the crumbling sidewalks, according to a city brief.

'This bridge had some noted deficiencies from the inspection report and calls from people, so it's a good time to take a look at it and get something done,” said Doug Wilson, the city engineering program manager.

The City Council this week approved a $1.765 million repair to the bridge, which was last rehabilitated in the early 1990s, Wilson said.

First Avenue is part of state Highway 922 and the 151 business loop, which required coordination with the Iowa Department of Transportation. The city is responsible for maintenance and repairs of the bridge.

Contractors can begin bidding on the project May 4 and work is slated to begin in June or July. Provisions in the contract will require no work over the Fourth of July holiday festivities, Wilson said.

The contractor will allow 273 calendar days to complete the substructure work, which should wrap up by spring 2017, and 119 days for deck work, which should be done by early fall this year, Wilson said.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during parts of construction, Wilson said. The bridge has two lanes in each direction, a center turn lane and parking, which will be restored after construction. The mini Statue of Liberty on the north side of the bridge will not be impacted, Wilson said.

City officials say the strategy with road construction is to devote about two-thirds of the road work budget to maintenance and rehabilitation projects, which will prolong the life of infrastructure and save money in the long run. The remaining third goes to reconstruction or replacement projects.

Replacement of roads or bridges can cost five times as much. In this case, Wilson said the city could pay $10-$15 million if it had to replace the bridge.

The First Avenue Bridge work is part of the city's 2016 Paving for Progress program, which includes an $18 million budget for 34 road projects. The program is paid for through proceeds from the voter-approved 1 percent local-option sales tax for street repairs. The 10-year program began in 2014 after being approved by voters in November 2013.