Alin Dumachi – Senior Engineer
Jason Havel – City Engineer
Ron Knoche – Public Works Director
Geoff Fruin – City Manager
Liz Craig – Assistant City Attorney
The engineer’s estimate of construction cost is $1,400,000. Funding is available in the Riverside Dr. Pedestrian Bridge at Iowa Ave. Rehab Account #S3978 through unused funds from other projects, bond premiums, interest or future year budget allocations.
This agenda item begins the bidding process for the Riverside Drive Pedestrian Bridge at Iowa Avenue Rehabilitation Project. The Project was previously bid but received no bids. The Project was then put on hold indefinitely to address contractor feedback regarding project phasing. The previous project plans imposed restrictive nighttime only work windows and a requirement to reopen traffic lanes during daytime hours, which limited contractor flexibility. This re-letting removes those constraints to improve constructability. The project generally includes concrete rehabilitation to the existing bridge and spiral ramp, expansion joint rehabilitation, pavement modifications at the spiral ramp landing, and aesthetic improvements including new handrail, new electrical lighting, and bridge deck coating.
The University of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the City of Iowa City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on November 19, 2002 which details their respective responsibilities for maintenance of the three pedestrian bridges crossing over Riverside Drive/Highway 6, including the pedestrian bridge at Iowa Avenue. The MOU states that the University and City are each responsible for 25% of the cost of major repair projects, and the DOT is responsible for 50% of the cost of major repair projects. The Riverside Drive Pedestrian Bridge at Iowa Avenue Rehabilitation Project is considered to be a major repair project. The University, DOT, and City are willing to jointly participate in said project in accordance with the original MOU. The total estimated construction cost for the project is $1,400,000. Therefore, it is estimated that the City will be responsible for approximately $350,000 of construction costs.
Origin Design, Co. (formerly IIW, P.C.) of Dubuque, Iowa completed in-depth inspection services of the Riverside Drive pedestrian bridge at Iowa Avenue in 2019. Upon completion of the inspection, Origin provided a formal summary of the current bridge conditions as well as recommended repairs and estimated cost of repairs. Concrete spalling, delamination, and exposed reinforcing was observed during the inspection. The report, dated October 30, 2019, confirmed the need for comprehensive concrete and expansion joint rehabilitation to significantly increase the serviceable life of the structure and restore its aesthetics. The bridge was reinspected in the summer of 2026 in preparation for the rebidding of the Project.
Project Timeline:
Set Public Hearing – September 1, 2026
Hold Public Hearing – September 15, 2026
Bid Letting – October 12, 2026
Award Date – October 20, 2026
Construction – May to August 2027