IOWA CITY — A major Iowa City transportation project has secured more than $23 million in federal funding to replace the Burlington Street bridges and improve nearby roads, bicycle routes and pedestrian connections.
The City of Iowa City was awarded $23,481,600 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant program.
The Burlington Street Bridge (pictured at top, NIT photo) — Building Better Connections Project is expected to cost approximately $57 million, not including proposed improvements to the Iowa River dam.
The project is a joint effort involving the City of Iowa City, University of Iowa and Iowa Department of Transportation.
Iowa City Public Works Director Ron Knoche said the bridge replacement will improve safety and mobility for the thousands of motorists, bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians who use the area each day.
“We’re grateful to the USDOT for recognizing the importance of this crucial replacement of the Burlington Street Bridges over the Iowa River,” Knoche said. “This is a vital project that will improve the safety of the bridge and enhance mobility for the thousands of local, regional, and state motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who use the bridge every day.”
The city was informed of the grant award by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on July 7, 2026.
The federal government awarded approximately $1.73 billion to 127 transportation projects across the United States and its territories through the BUILD program.
The Iowa City project calls for replacing the separate eastbound and westbound Burlington Street bridges with a single bridge over the Iowa River.
Plans also include roadway and intersection improvements along Burlington Street, Grand Avenue, Melrose Avenue and Byington Road.
Melrose Avenue and Byington Road would be converted to accommodate two-way traffic as part of the project.
Engineers will also assess changes designed to better serve vehicle traffic, public buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
The project will evaluate pedestrian connections in the area, including possible repairs or replacement of the pedestrian bridges over Riverside Drive and Grand Avenue.
A construction schedule was not included in the city’s announcement.