General Information

• Three steel arch pedestrian bridges will be built in the I-235 corridor as part of the I-235 rebuilding project. Their locations are: 44th, 40th and E. 6th streets in Des Moines. These new bridges will replace existing pedestrian bridges.

• The bridges' design is called a "basket-handle" arch and will be unique to Iowa, although it has been constructed in other states. The bridges will be clear span structures, spanning the entire freeway with no center pier.

• The design was selected in response to the Des Moines community's strong pride in and purposeful association with its arched river bridges that are symbolized in the city's graphic logo.

• The I-235 Aesthetic Subcommittee, which represented metro area plan and zoning commissions, business organizations, residence groups, and interested citizens, was instrumental in providing community input into the design process.

• The first bridge, the Edna M. Griffin Memorial Bridge, located near E. 6th St., was completed in January 2004.

• This pedestrian bridge serves to connect the residential neighborhood south of I-235 with Longfellow Elementary School, 1101 East Sixth Avenue.

• Construction began on the remaining two bridges in October 2004. These bridges will be constructed at the same time, and should be completed in fall 2005.

Design Engineer :
HNTB
715 Kirk Drive
Kansas City, MO 64105

Contractors:
Cramer & Associates, Inc.
Des Moines, Iowa

United Contractors, Inc.
Johnston, Iowa