WAVERLY – The Iowa Department of Transportation is replacing the Bremer Avenue Bridge that spans the Cedar River in downtown.
For about a year, the new infrastructure could be under construction.
An informational meeting is scheduled for Monday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Waverly City Hall, 200 First St. N.E
According to the Federal Highway Administration, the bridge, which carries the road also known as Iowa Highway 3, was built in 1950 and is rated in “fair” condition rather than “good” or “poor.”
However, Pete Hjelmstad, the DOT’s field services coordinator, said the bridge is “nearing the end of its useful life” and that it would be more “cost-effective” to replace it, rather than make the necessary repairs.
“There are no security concerns at this time,” he said Wednesday. “Or else we would have shut it down.”
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The $5.8 million project was approved by the Iowa Transportation Commission as part of the state’s five-year transportation improvement program, Hjelmstad said.
Even on Friday afternoon, as she celebrated being honored with LeadingAge Iowa’s Leading Life Award, she was collecting tabs from soda cans to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.
According to Hjelmstad, the bidding lease is scheduled for October 2023.
Construction could begin before the end of this year or early 2024. The hope is that the new bridge will open in late 2024.
At this time, the project is scheduled to move forward and will only be delayed by an unforeseen circumstance such as bids exceeding the DOT estimate.
“Nothing is 100 percent certain,” Hjelmstad said.
He said the steel girder bridge will be replaced with a 352-foot-long by 74-foot-wide concrete girder bridge.
Hjelmstad said the only noticeable difference might be four new “pedestrian view” areas, two on each side. In addition, he said the size of the pedestrian walkway on the north side will be 10 feet instead of eight feet.
The City Council unanimously approved the $55,002 package Monday in response to a master plan funded by the Chamber of Commerce.
At the informational meeting, Iowa DOT staff will be on hand to discuss the bridge replacement proposal with renderings and images related to the project.
But no formal presentation will be made. Questions and comments will be accepted by the staff. According to Hjelmstad, any input would influence DOT staff’s decision on the design or aesthetics of the bridge.
For general information about the public meeting, contact Hjelmstad at the Iowa DOT District 2 office, 428 43rd St. SW, Mason City, Iowa 50401. He can be reached by phone at (641) 423-7584 or (800) 477-4368. and by email at pete.hjelmstad@iowadot.us.
A virtual presentation will be available first Monday at noon. To access it, go online to www.iowadot.gov/pim and click “Replace IA Bridge 3”.
Iowa Irish Fest 2022
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Festival-goers move among vendors on Fourth Street during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
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Cedar Glen Pipes and Drums performs Saturday during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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John Baron of Madison, Wis., takes a throw in the Braemare stone throw during the Highland Games at the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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Lincoln Park fills with people in lawn chairs as they watch main stage entertainment during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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The Dublin City Ramblers perform Saturday during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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People check out the blacksmith tent during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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Festival-goers look for their family’s place of origin on a map of Ireland during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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Festival goers watch the Highland Games during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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Festival goers watch as local children dance with members of the Trinity Irish Dancers on stage during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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Local children dance with members of the Trinity Irish Dancers on stage during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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The Trinity Irish Dancers perform during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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The Trinity Irish Dancers perform during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
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The Trinity Irish Dancers perform during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
Irish party 14
The Trinity Irish Dancers perform during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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The Trinity Irish Dancers perform during the Iowa Irish Fest in downtown Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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