Politics & Government
Countdown to New Urbandale Trail Bridge: Oct. 28
City officials predict that a bridge that is a critical link to the trail network in Urbandale and the metro area will be open by the end of November. Urbandale Patch with keep you posted on progress.
Workers on Friday poured cement on a new trail that will lead from the new bridge up to the shelter house.
Workers also set the forms for pouring cement on the base of the bridge. City Engineer David McKay says once the two bases are finished, the bridge span will be shipped to Urbandale and lowered by crane onto the bases.
Here is a timeline for the city's progress on replacing the bridge so far:
Find out what's happening in Urbandalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Aug. 1, 2010: A series of rainstorms sends flood waters rushing through North Walnut Creek, eroding the bank around tree roots, causing several to topple. One takes out the recreational trail bridge into Walker Johnson Park.
Late August, 2010: Urbandale applies to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for money to replace the bridge.
Find out what's happening in Urbandalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Early December, 2010: FEMA notifies city officials that Urbandale will receive between $130,000 and $147,000 to help replace the bridge.
December 28, 2010: The approves $290,000 in this year's budget to replace the bridge, expecting to split the cost with FEMA.
January 19, 2011: The City Council votes to hire the engineering firm of Shive-Hattery to perform a hydrological analysis and to design the bridge.
April, 2011: Shive Hattery completes the bridge design and the project is sent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for approval and necessary permit. However, flood damage to roads and bridges over the past two years has higher priority with state officials. Reviews of pedestrian bridges are pushed back.
June, 2011: Urbandale officials ask state officials to expedite their request for a bridge permit.
July 2011: Natural Resources officials approve the expedited review and the city begin taking construction bids on the project.
Aug. 15: The state issues Urbandale a permit to build the bridge.
Aug. 23: The city council hires Elder Corp. to build the bridge for $254,254.
Oct. 16: Construction workers begin clearing trees and debris from the site of the new bridge.
Oct. 23: Work on the footings and the concrete base of the bridge begins.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.