The Burlington Street Bridge project has secured more than $23 million in federal support for the Building Better Connections Project in Iowa City.

Official concept image of the planned Burlington Street Bridge replacement in Iowa City
Official concept image of the planned Burlington Street Bridge replacement in Iowa City. Photo: City of Iowa City / HDR

The award totals $23,481,600 and comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ⁠Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. The program is for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. According to the USDOT, $1.73 billion in grant funding has been awarded to 127 projects across the United States and its territories.

BUILD grant funding for Iowa City

The Burlington Street Bridge project is ⁠estimated to cost $57,005,000, excluding Iowa River dam improvements. The work is a joint project involving the City of Iowa City, the University of Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Transportation.

City of Iowa City Public Works Director Ron Knoche said the award recognizes the importance of replacing the Burlington Street Bridges over the Iowa River.

“We’re grateful to the USDOT for recognizing the importance of this crucial replacement of the Burlington Street Bridges over the Iowa River,” said City of Iowa City Public Works Director Ron Knoche. “This is a vital project that will improve the safety of the bridge and enhance mobility for the thousands of local, regional, and state motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who use the bridge every day.”

The City of Iowa City was informed of the award by Senator Chuck Grassley on Monday, July 7, 2026.

Don’t miss…Hudson Tunnel Project Funding Protected by US Court

Bridge replacement and roadway improvements

Once completed, the Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections Project will replace the eastbound and westbound Burlington Street bridges with a single bridge.

The project also includes roadway and geometric improvements to Burlington Street, Grand Avenue, Melrose Avenue, and Byington Road. Melrose Avenue and Byington Road will be converted to accommodate two-way traffic.

The work will also assess ways to improve the bridge and adjacent roadways for vehicle, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. In addition, the project will evaluate pedestrian connections and the repair or replacement of pedestrian bridges over Riverside Drive and Grand Avenue.

Official concept map for the Burlington Street Bridge project in Iowa City
Official concept map for the Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections Project in Iowa City. Photo: City of Iowa City / Iowa DOT / HDR

The project follows an earlier federal planning step. In 2022, the City of Iowa City received $300,000 through the Bridge Investment Program to plan improvements over the Iowa River in downtown Iowa City, including replacement of two Burlington Street / State Highway 1 bridges with a single structure. The City’s project page says the current preliminary phase includes study work on bridge design, pedestrian connections and the Iowa River dam, with preliminary and final design expected before construction. Construction could start as early as 2027. (⁠transportation.gov)

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR Corridor Starts TBM Work