Great River Road Bridge

The Great River Road Bridge, officially known as US 52 over CP RR/Mill Creek, and often called Mill Creek Overpass, or the South Bellevue Bridge, is steel girder bridge that carries U.S. Highway 52 (US 52) across Mill Creek (near its confluence with the Mississippi River and connects Bellevue and southern Jackson County, Iowa, (including the city of Sabula on US 52). It is located near the southern city limit of Bellevue.

Great River Road Bridge
The Great River Road Bridge from below in August 2018 (Note historic Potter's Mill in the background)
Coordinates42°15′2″N 90°25′8.3″W / 42.25056°N 90.418972°W / 42.25056; -90.418972
Carries2 lanes of US 52
CrossesMill Creek (near the confluence of the Mississippi River) and a Canadian Pacific rail line
LocaleSouthern limit of Bellevue, Iowa
Characteristics
DesignSteel girder bridge
Total length657 feet (200 m)
Width52 feet (16 m)
Longest span115 feet (35 m)
No. of spans6
No. of lanes2 (with additional 12 foot pedestrian lane)
History
Opened2009
Statistics
Daily traffic2,430 (2017)
Location
Map

Built as a replacement for an aging and no longer sufficient former bridge built in 1941, the new bridge started construction in late 2007. With the completion of the Great River Road Bridge in late 2009, the existing bridge was demolished. The modern structure is applauded for its sensitivity in design for its scenic natural surroundings (including the Mississippi River, Bellevue State Park, and the high limestone bluffs that tower above).[1] Built with a two-lane 40-foot driving deck, it also provides a 12-foot bike and pedestrian lane on its western side. The bridge also crosses a Canadian Pacific rail line that travels through Bellevue parallel to US 52. In 2017, its average daily traffic was 2,430 vehicles, with 7% of that being truck traffic.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "THE GREAT RIVER ROAD BRIDGE - BELLEVUE". Iowa DOT. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  2. ^ "2017 ANNUAL AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC" (PDF). Iowa DOT. Retrieved 3 March 2020.