The nation’s inland cities are raising many bridges in the expectation that climate change will bring more intense storms and more frequent flooding. A look at some of the projects:
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BRIDGE: Red Multi-Use Trail Bridge
CITY: Des Moines, Iowa
BUILT: 1891, rehabilitated in 2005 and raised higher in 2016-17
ORIGINAL HEIGHT: Walking surface 29.5 feet above river bed
NEW HEIGHT: Surface raised to 34 feet over river bed
COST: $3 million
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BRIDGE: Eighth Avenue Bridge
CITY: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
BUILT: Removal of bridge built in 1938; new bridge construction to start in 2020
ORIGINAL HEIGHT: 14 feet above Cedar River
NEW HEIGHT: 28 feet
COST: Up to $30 million
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BRIDGE: Sixth Street Bridge
CITY: Milwaukee
BUILT: New bridge completed in 2011 to replace bridge built in 1982.
ORIGINAL HEIGHT: 10 feet above Kinnickinnic River
NEW HEIGHT: 15½ feet above river
COST: $3 million
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BRIDGE: Virginia Street Bridge
CITY: Reno, Nevada
BUILT: New bridge completed in 2016 to replace bridge built in 1905.
ORIGINAL HEIGHT: 12 feet above Truckee River
NEW HEIGHT: 15 feet
COST: $18 million
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BRIDGE: Park Road Bridge
CITY: Iowa City
BUILT: Bridge built in 1959 to be replaced by bridge now under construction. Completion expected in 2018.
ORIGINAL HEIGHT: 9.5 feet over Iowa River
NEW HEIGHT: 15 feet over river
COST: $13 million
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