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Iowa City council adopts Burlington Street bridge planning concept, estimates $70 million order‑of‑magnitude cost
Summary
City staff and consultants presented a preferred Burlington Street bridge and corridor concept that prioritizes a beam bridge replacement, improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, dam safety modifications and a centralized transit hub; council approved moving into engineering design. Cost estimate: about $70 million (±30%).
Iowa City councilors voted Dec. 9 to approve a preferred planning concept for the Burlington Street bridge and corridor that replaces the aging eastbound bridge, tightens bicycle and pedestrian connections, and advances safety modifications at the Burlington Street Dam.
The draft plan, prepared by HDR for the city, favors a steel or concrete beam bridge that can be staged during construction and includes dedicated bike lanes, ADA‑compliant pedestrian ramps (options include switchbacks and spirals), grade‑separated crossings where warranted, and a centralized transit hub near the hospital. Mike Herrick, project manager for HDR, said the planning estimate for the overall corridor — including bridge work, dam safety measures, pedestrian ramps and transit improvements — is about $70,000,000, plus or minus 30 percent.
City engineers and consultants said the proposal responds to multiple priorities: extending the useful life of an aging bridge, reducing conflict points for pedestrians and cyclists, maintaining river‑side operations and addressing public‑safety concerns at the dam. "The advisory committee advanced a modification for safety to meet that safety need," Herrick said, adding that the chosen dam alternative preserves the pool elevation and reduces drowning hazards while allowing for potential recreational or fish‑passage elements if funding permits.
Council members asked detailed questions about durability, flood resilience and staging around event days. Several members said raising the bridge profile to improve flood resilience should remain part of the design discussion. Staff said the concept allows adjustments in the profile and that the team will evaluate flood‑resilience tradeoffs during design.
Public comment urged the council to treat dam modification for recreation and fish passage as a priority, not an optional add‑on. "Please don't let this continue to be 'may' — let's make it 'will include,'" said Nick Pfeiffer of Think Iowa City.
The planning study includes alternatives for intersection geometry at Burlington and Riverside, options to improve the Burlington Street Dam for safety while maintaining water‑supply functions, and several aesthetic treatments for the bridge deck and piers that aim for low life‑cycle costs. HDR and city staff said environmental clearance is underway and preliminary design will start after clearance; staff indicated a target of spring 2029 to begin construction, coordinated with Iowa DOT schedule constraints.
Council voted to establish the design concept and proceed into engineering design work, instructing staff to continue coordination with DOT and stakeholders. The approval does not finalize specific aesthetic choices or firm cost commitments; it advances the preferred concept into the formal design and environmental review phases.
