Linn County Wants Input on Second Pedestrian Bridge Over Cedar River [IMAGES]

Bike and pedestrian trails have made incredible progress across Linn County in recent years. Julie and I biked from the east edge of Marion this morning on a busy trail filled with walkers, bikers, and even a guy on a hoverboard. Now, there's news on another new addition coming in the future. In this case, you can provide feedback now on what you want it to look like.

The Linn County Conservation Department (LCCD) is asking for input on a trail bridge that will be built across the Cedar River near the Highway 100 bridge, west of Cedar Rapids. It will be part of the Morgan Creek Trail, previously known as the Highway 100 Trail.

According to information I obtained from the Linn County Trails Association at Saturday's Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market, Phase 1 of the Morgan Creek Trail (east side of Cedar, past Xavier High School to the Cedar River) will be bid this November with paving in 2023. Another phase of the trail that's expected to take place in 2023 will run from Covington Road to Worchester Road. That will be bid late this fall or early winter, with construction also expected next year.

The trail bridge that will eventually be built over the Cedar River hopes to be able to use the abutments and piers of a railroad bridge that was originally built in 1905-1906. A few years later it was widened and raised. In the 1940s, the Milwaukee Road (Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad) constructed new pier caps and abutments. The bridge was in service until the early 1980s with the superstructure taken down in 1983. A study done this year has concluded the old bridge's abutments (end supports) are in good shape, but the piers (middle supports) are not.

In addition to asking for your feedback on the look of the future bridge, the LCCD also wants your input on several options to repair or replace the piers and abutments, as well as your choices of important amenities and aesthetics.

You can see the bridge options below.

Concrete beam:

Steel beam:

Box Truss:

Archway:

Bowstring Arch:

While we welcome your comments below, please note, you must provide your feedback to the Linn County Conservation Department HERE.