The $4.4 million Gilbert Street bridge project is expected to finish by the fall

The 52-year-old Gilbert Street bridge was demolished last week, initiating a months-long rebuild and detour along a busy Iowa City thoroughfare.

The bridge, which spans Ralston Creek and was first opened in 1972, is a few blocks south of downtown Iowa City, near Falbo Bros. Pizzeria and the Vine.

A bridge analysis found that it was "structurally deficient," and the Iowa City City Council encouraged and approved its replacement in early 2023.

No bids were received in the initial contractor search, pushing the project back a year.

The project, which is estimated to cost approximately $4.4 million, will keep the road closed until late fall 2024.

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Disruptions expected for car, bus and some pedestrian traffic

Reconstruction will cause some major disruptions for vehicle and bus traffic and will force pedestrians to take alternate routes.

Drivers who would usually take Gilbert south will be routed west on Burlington Street and sent south along Dubuque Street, meeting up with East Prentiss Street and returning to Gilbert. The detour is flipped for drivers heading in the opposite direction.

Local traffic can access the road to Court Street before being forced off Gilbert.

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Bus stops along the path of construction have been temporarily moved two blocks south to the intersection of Prentiss Street and Gilbert Streets for outbound routes. Inbound bus routes have been re-routed to pick up passengers at the Gilbert intersection with Bowery Street.

Pedestrian traffic is being asked to divert to South Linn Street. While businesses will still be accessible throughout the construction period, pedestrians won't be able to cross Ralston Creek along Gilbert Street.

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Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: The $4.4 million Gilbert Street bridge project is underway in Iowa City