Hunter
12/13/25
Iowa City’s City Council has approved an initial plan for a new Burlington Street bridge and adjoining infrastructure updates.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 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.
Designs for the bridge began last fall when the City of Iowa City hired Cedar Rapids-based consultant HDR to work on the project. Along with the current stakeholders, the group got input from 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. The design concept isn’t a final plan, but allows engineers to begin the next phase of the project.
The current structure is unique in that it has multiple owners. The dam was built in 1906 and is owned by the University of Iowa. The eastbound span is Iowa City’s, while the westbound span is owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
The project, due to begin construction in 2029, is expected to cost in the $70 million range. How the cost and ownership will be shared has yet to be determined.
A link to the Gazette article: