Finally: Urbandale Trail Bridge Takes Long Road to Completion

More than a year after a falling tree took out a pedestrian bridge that is a crucial link in Urbandale's recreational trail system, the city has started to rebuild it.

Urbandale trail users have been waiting, some impatiently, for the bridge over North Walnut Creek to be rebuilt. The bridge links the recreational trail behind the to Walker Johnston Park and to other trails

"That bridge has been out a year now. Storms happen and trees fall…I'm not quite sure what's taking so long," said Steve Fuller, a bicyclist who lives in Johnston and works in Urbandale.

Fuller is among many trail users who have called or emailed Urbandale's mayor and city officials wanting to know why it's taking so long to rebuild the bridge.

"It's a major trail to be out of service," acknowledged Dave McKay, director of Urbandale's Engineering and Public Works department. "It is one of the most critical links to the trail system."

It took the city a year just to cut through red tape. First, officials applied for and were granted federal disaster money to cover half the cost of the new bridge; then they had to budget the city's share of the cost. It took another six months to get the permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources necessary to build the bridge. Construction will cost just over $250,000.

The target date for opening the bridge is Dec. 1.

Until then, residents living east of 86th Street will continue to be unable to take the route to bike or walk to recreational programs in Walker Johnston Park.

Chuck Davis of Urbandale has ridden his bike about 2,400 miles since March. He lives north of Douglas Avenue and likes to take the trail downtown or to connect with other trails.

"That's a crucial link," he said of the bridge. "I didn't really realize it. Anything north of Douglas and west of 86th and you can't get to the trails that link downtown."

"It's been an inconvenience, but I have been very patient," he said.

Others, not so much.

McKay has fielded his share of irate calls about the bridge. He understands residents' frustration, but adds, "I don't think most people understand the process of what you have to go through today to undertake a project like this."

The old wooden bridge that was built decades ago by parks workers would not be allowed to be built under current environmental and safety rules, he said. The new bridge will be made of concrete abutments and pre-formed steel with a wood-plank surface. 

The new bridge will be 3- to 4-feet wider and about 50 feet south of where the destroyed bridge once stood.

When the bridge is finished, trail users will cross the creek near the shelter house in Walker Johnston Park. A new segment of trail will lead them south to a trail through the playground near the shelter house. From there they can take the access road, which is currently being paved, north to the skate park. There, the new trail will link to the existing trail before it goes under Douglas Avenue.