City Celebrates Demolition and "Recycling" of Old Railroad Bridge

ConnectCR, the City of Cedar Rapids, representatives from Alliant Energy and ITC Midwest, along with countless donors and supporters marked another milestone in the community betterment project with a celebratory “boom” to represent the demolition of the old CRANDIC/Rock Island Railroad Bridge. The bridge was partially wiped out in the Flood of 2008 and is being fully removed to make way for the new Alliant Energy LightLine, a pedestrian bridge that spans the Cedar River near Mount Trashmore, connecting the city’s New Bohemia and Czech Village districts.
“This is an exciting milestone for the ConnectCR project,” said Steve Sovern, ConnectCR board member and an early proponent of the bridge. “Hundreds of donors, residents, and board volunteers have worked for years to help us get to this point. From early concepts nearly ten years ago to fundraising, to working through design, it’s been quite a journey and we are now just months away from the bridge being built.”
To celebrate the bridge’s removal, city officials, ConnectCR board members, local donors, and supporters gathered at the top of Mount Trashmore--overlooking the bridge site--and used bike pumps (representing detonators) to blow up bicycle tubes and make celebratory explosions marking the demolition. The bridge’s actual demolition will take place later this fall.
“This marks an inspiring moment, creating a new connection between historic neighborhoods on both sides of the Cedar River,” said Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. “More than a bridge, this project will stand as a symbol of the connections formed through dedicated efforts by residents, organizations and government. The final product will become another inviting destination for residents and visitors to enjoy our city’s charm as they travel along the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and nationwide American Discovery Trail.”
Today’s celebration was called ReCycle the Bridge in a play on cycling and trail usage, as well as the fact that portions of the old bridge will be salvaged or “recycled” and used in signage near the new bridge.
“We’re currently looking at a number of design options for historical panels that will feature components of the old bridge,” said Sovern. “Six of those signs will feature information about the area’s rich industrial, manufacturing, and agricultural history and will be located in a park-like setting to the east of the bridge.”
The bridge and its 165-foot tower will have LED lighting, thanks to a generous donation by ITC Midwest. The lighting will be a key element in creating an iconic bridge and destination near the base of Mount Trashmore. The bridge’s span is being designed to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists and provide enough space for an enjoyable experience for people of all ages and abilities. Bridge visitors will be able to stop and take in the view of the city from the bridge’s west side where the tower will be located. Groundbreaking for the bridge will be in 2024, with completion scheduled for 2025.
“The Solid Waste Agency is excited for the groundbreaking and the addition the bridge will be to our community,” said Karmin McShane, Solid Waste Agency Executive Director. “It will be a showcase for the entire effort, from Czech Village and NewBo, to the great work being done at Cedar Lake.”
In addition to the Alliant Energy LightLine, ConnectCR is also revitalizing Cedar Lake to the north of downtown Cedar Rapids. Cedar Lake’s transformation includes a boardwalk that will go out over the 120-acre lake to provide visitors with an on-the-water experience. Plans also call for wetlands on the north shore, adding paddle sport launch locations, floating islands and a challenge course/playground along with enhanced park entrances. Currently, the lake is being partially de-watered while a new flood control levee is installed on the lake’s west side. The improvements at Cedar Lake are also projected to be completed in 2025.