ARC of justice bridge replacement project

The Federal Highway Administration awarded the City of Cedar Rapids $99.9 million on June 4, 2026, under the Bridge Investment Program (CFDA 20.264) to replace the Eighth Avenue Bridge over the Cedar River. The bridge replacement project will construct a cable-stayed bridge design to replace the existing structure, originally built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1987, which is in poor condition and part of the National Highway System. The new cable-stayed design raises the bridge to provide clearance above potential flood waters, reduces the number of river pilings from seven to one 90-foot pylon to improve hydraulic flows and increase flood storage capacity, and reduces the height of the city's upstream floodwall by approximately 9 inches. The replacement will also bring sidewalks into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards; existing sidewalk sections are only 3 feet 8 inches wide. The bridge currently closes during 25-year flood events, and the Cedar River has reached or exceeded 100-year flood stage 15 times in the last 20 years. Period of performance runs through May 31, 2031, with performance taking place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that enables direct application by states, local governments, tribal governments, and certain regional entities.

Project description

The project will replace the eighth avenue bridge over the cedar river. The existing bridge was constructed in 1938 and reconstructed in 1987. IT is part of the national highway system, constructed under the outdated HS20 truck design, and is in poor condition. Sidewalks on the bridge are not compliant with americans with disabilities act (ADA) standards-sections of the sidewalks are only 3-feet-8 inches wide. The bridge is closed during 25-year flood events, and the cedar river has reached or exceeded the flood stage (100-year event) 15 times in the last 20 years. A cable-stayed design was selected for the bridge replacement. This design minimizes the number and thickness of the steel girders supporting the roadway, and raises the bridge to provide ample clearance above potential flood waters. This bridge design uses only one 90-foot pylon in the river (where there are currently seven) which improves hydraulic flows, increasing flood storage capacity, and reducing the height of the city's upstream floodwall by approximately 9 inches.