City of West Des Moines – Pedestrian / Bicycle Bridge Over I-35

Interstate Highway 35 separated a rapidly growing residential area on the west from parks and schools on the east.  Prior to construction, pedestrians and bicyclists were forced to cross I-35 on a narrow, high traffic volume two-lane roadway bridge that did not have a sidewalk.  The pedestrian bridge is a four span 254’-6 x 10’ pretensioned, prestressed concrete beam structure with integral abutments.  In addition to the bridge, the project included about 900 feet of ten-foot wide PCC trail and associated approach fills.  This project was recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Iowa as the 1989-1990 winner of the Honor Award for Engineering Excellence.