Des Moines OKs $23M for major bridge repairs

Des Moines is putting more major bridge repairs on its calendar in the near future.

Why it matters: It's essential for public safety. Remember that Minneapolis interstate bridge collapse in 2007?

• But it's going to disrupt metro travel.

Driving the news: Des Moines this week approved almost $23M in bridge work.

• The Walnut Street Bridge downtown will be replaced in a $14.6M project that begins next year and will last until the first half of 2024.
• Major bridge repairs at Southwest 9th Street over the Middle South Creek and Guthrie Avenue over the railroad will also begin in the next year or so.

State of play: Some DSM bridges are structurally deficient and have lasted beyond their expected lifespan. Several are more than 100 years old.

• DSM had 14 structurally deficient bridges in 2013, and all of them are either fixed or in current design and construction phases, DSM city engineer Steve Naber told the City Council in April.
• There are about 10 more bridge replacement and rehab projects DSM aims to finish by 2025.

The big picture: Nationally, 46,154 are in poor condition, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.

• 4,497 Iowa bridges are in poor condition, according to a state Department of Transportation report released last month.