The last of the three downtown bridges symbolized on the Des Moines city flag to be rebuilt is about to open to traffic, more than two years after it closed for the project.
The Walnut Street bridge across the Des Moines River is slated to open Friday, May 1. The Principal Riverwalk trail, which travels under the bridge on the west side of the river, also will reopen.
The Walnut Street bridge project followed replacement of the Grand Avenue and Locust Street bridges, which were completed in 2017 and 2020, respectively. The flag depicts the trio in a stylized way, their white arches seen against the blue background of the river.
Those arches were one of the primary reasons for Walnut Street bridge’s closure and reconstruction. The city determined the concrete on the deck, sidewalks and arches of the bridge had deteriorated to the extent that it was in poor condition.
Over the last 26 months, contractors removed the bridge and replaced it. The ornate balustrade atop the wall abutting the east bank of the river between E Walnut Street and E Court Avenue also was replaced, according to the city.
The new bridge deviates from the 115-year-old span it replaced, with just four arches instead of six. The Court Avenue bridge just downstream ― the fourth road bridge connecting across the river from the central business district to the East Village ― underwent renovations in 2018.
Why is there still work underway on the Walnut Street Bridge if it’s ready to open?
Though construction of the Walnut Street bridge is all but complete, drivers and pedestrians will still see contractors installing an aesthetic, metal-panel facade and new LED lighting on each side of the bridge, requiring alternating closures.
The work is expected to be completed by October. The entire project is estimated to have cost roughly $19 million.
Kate Kealey is the growth and development reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on X at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: After 2-year project, Walnut St. bridge set to reopen in downtown DSM
Reporting by Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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