PHOTO BY GARRY BRANDENBURG

North Center Street Iowa River Bridge construction is progressing at a good pace. This image helps to illustrate the abutments at either end plus the middle pier, all of which have work remaining before they will be ready for pre-cast beam placement. When finished, on or about Memorial Day, the bridge deck and all of its supporting piers and footings, will contain 572.2 cubic yards of concrete and will weigh more than 2.2 million pounds. Once the bridge is finished work remains to be done on grading and paving approaches. Even then the bridge will not be open to public vehicle traffic. Contractor access and water works employees will be allowed. The next phase for 2020-21 will focus on the remaining two smaller bridges. Bids for those smaller bridges will be accepted mid March at the Iowa DOT offices in Ames. North Center Street road has a unique distinction of having a major river bridge and three additional overflow structures, all in close proximity to each other, to allow for pass through of water during flood events. The elevation of North Center Street’s roadway is a bit higher than Highway 14 which in the past has remained a single pathway for local traffic to get into or out of Marshalltown when flood waters force the DOT to close Highway 14 north of Marshalltown. This much needed upgrade to infrastructure (bridges) creates short term inconveniences but will be well worth the wait when completed.