Iowa City takes first steps in $30 million Burlington Street Bridge replacement project

IOWA CITY — The first steps are underway in the yearslong process to replace Iowa City’s Burlington Street Bridges, which are crossed by nearly 19,000 vehicles a day and connect the west side of the city to downtown and the University of Iowa.

The project is estimated to cost $30 million, and construction likely would begin in 2028 or 2029. It is unclear how long work may last.

The bridges were identified in a 2021 report as being in “poor” condition and “structurally deficient.” An inspection revealed concrete cracks and spalling, and exposed steel reinforcement.

Despite those deficiencies, Iowa City Senior Engineer Justin Hartland said the bridges still are serviceable, meaning they can be used by daily traffic without pause.

In September, the city hired a consultant, Cedar Rapids-based HDR, for $1.18 million. The firm will study the bridges and offer a preliminary design for their replacement. A preferred design is expected to be finalized sometime in 2026.

Part of HDR’s and its subcontractors’ work has already begun. Last month, divers from Bio Survey group, a biological consulting group, spent days diving under the dam beneath the bridges to identify any endangered species. They also conducted surveys of the area near the dam.

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Other infrastructure to be considered in study

The existing Burlington Street Bridge structure, which includes the two bridges and a dam below, is owned by three different public entities.

The dam, which was 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, owned by the Iowa DOT, was built in 1969.

Burlington Street Bridge replacement project

Construction on the Burlington Street Bridge replacement project is expected to begin in 2028 or 2029

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Source: City of Iowa City

In addition to the bridge design, HDR’s study will look at the realignment of Grand Avenue from the intersection of Melrose/S. Grand Avenue to Highway 1/Highway 6. The future of the dam also will be explored.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make good on both our strategic plan to engage the Iowa River as well as Better Together 2030’s plan,” council member Josh Moe said at a past city council meeting during discussion about the bridge replacement project.

Better Together 2030, a regional collaboration that works to better Johnson County, wants to make the Iowa River a signature attraction in the greater Iowa City area by improving access to recreation opportunities the river offers, including adding more boat ramps and trails.

Moe said he was excited at the prospect of removing the dam entirely to improve the waterfront. The dam removal will be considered during the course of the bridge replacement study.

Iowa City has already said it plans to work with the university and the DOT on the project. All three entities were represented on a committee that reviewed consultants’ proposals and identified HDR as the company of choice.

Funding sources for the $30 million project have yet to be identified, though city officials have said it likely will be a mix of local, state and federal funds.

Part of the project will include a traffic analysis to determine how many travel lanes the bridge should have. Bike lanes and pedestrian access also will be evaluated as part of the traffic analysis.

The spiral pedestrian ramp and overpass at Riverside Drive and Highway 6 also will be examined throughout the study. The current ramp is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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Commuter impact still unknown

Since actual construction on the project is years down the road, it’s still unclear how Iowa City drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and bus traffic will be impacted during construction of a replacement bridge.

“We would like to keep it open as much as possible,” City Engineer Jason Hovel said at a past council meeting. “With there being two bridges, there may be some opportunity to keep some kind of connectivity through construction, but those are details we’ll have to flesh out as we get through the design.”

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com