Red Bridge

Through Truss Bridge over Des Moines River on Principal Riverwalk

Des Moines, Iowa

The name of this bridge, the Red Bridge, comes from one very simple fact. The entire 527' long structure is painted in a very bold red color, creating a very recognizable bridge.

The bridge is a landmark for the city of Des Moines, and is very well liked.

It has had a long history though. It was first built in the 1800's, and contained three truss spans, not just the two. Then some time between 1907 and 1930, it was shortened with the easternmost truss span taken out, and a through plate girder and short I-Beam placed in instead.

Then some time in the 1940's, the bridge was extended on its west end, this time with a 45' I-Beam span that was built for 3 tracks, to allow spurs to come in. This went over an access road.

By the time the bridge was abandoned in 1997, as the newly created Norfolk Southern did not need the line, it had a 20' I-Beam, a 75' through plate girder, two 155' pin connected pratt trusses, a 70' steel girder and a 45' I-Beam span.

By 2004, when plans were being finalized to convert the bridge to a trail, the I-beam span was removed, the bridge stripped of its natural silver lead based paint and repainted bright red with a more enviromentally friendly paint.

For the next two summers, work on fixing up the bridge took place. The span that was removed was replaced by a smaller I-beam span.

The bridge was inspected, stripped of it's rail tie deck and replaced with a steel deck and handrails, a very fancy way to convert the bridge. Between the two trusses, an overlook was also added.

As an added bonus, the bridge was installed with several LED lights, creating quite the sight at night too.

Out of the five railroad bridges that crossed in downtown Des Moines, this one is one of three left. Next to this bridge is the Iowa Interstate Bridge, and even further downstream was the Chicago Great Western Bridge

The two other truss bridges, the Chicago Burlington & Quincy as well as the Minneapolis & St Louis Bridges were removed in the 1970's. These were located about a block downstream from the IAIS bridge.

This bridge officially opened to pedestrians in the summer of 2006. It became part of the Principal River Walkway, something that is hoped to connect Des Moines to surrounding areas, and even to other parts of the state.

The bridge will be partially reconstructed to be raised 3 feet for flood purposes, at a cost of 3.5 million. Hopefully rule 408 will apply to block this attack on a historic structure.

The photo above is looking from a walkway along the floodwall, along the west bank. The IAIS bridge can be seen in the background.



The photo above is looking east along the bridge. The photo below is looking from the west floodwall.






The photo above is looking at the girder span. The photo below is looking at the I-Beam span that was added around 2004, replacing a triple track span.






The photo above is looking at the current west abutment. The photo below is looking at what was the west abutment before the triple track I-Beam span was constructed, now pier #1.






The photo above is looking under the I-beam span. The photo below is looking at truss span #1.






The photo above is looking from the west floodwall. The photo below is looking from the path on the west side.






The photos above and below are looking from the IAIS bridge. In the first photo, the IAIS bridge is the Through Plate Girder on the right side.






The photo above is looking at truss span #1. The photo below is looking from the pathway along the west floodwall.






The photo above is looking at the steel girder span. Its amazing that this span could hold the weight. The photo below is looking at pier #2.






The photo above is looking at pier #1 (old abutment). The photo below is looking under the girder span.






The photo above is looking at pier #2. The photo below is looking at truss span #2.






The photos above and below are looking from the walkway along the west floodwall.






The photo above is looking east from the path along the west floodwall. The photo below is looking from the top of the west floodwall.






The photo above is looking from the road on the west side. The photo below is looking east across the bridge. The decking on this bridge is by far the best I have seen on any rails to trails bridge. It is simply eligant, and the colors match the red color of the bridge perfectly.






The photo above is looking into truss span #1. The glass is a very nice feature. The photo below is looking at some bracing on the top of the bridge.






The photo above is looking at span #1 from the overlook between the truss spans. The photo below is looking into truss span #2.






The photo above is looking east along truss span #2. The photo below is looking at the portal bracing.






The photo above is looking west across the bridge. The photo below is looking west along the bridge.






The photo above is looking at the east abutment. Note how they are rebuilding it, and will likley encase the little trestle piece in concrete. The work is for a new higher floodwall. The photo below is looking at the short little I-beam span. This span did see railroad use.






The photos above and below are looking from the east side.






The photo above is looking at the through plate girder span. The photo below is looking at truss span #2.






The photos above and below are looking at pier #4.






The photos above and below are looking from the east floodwall.






The photo above is looking from the east floodwal. The photo below is looking at pier #3.






The photo above is looking at pilings under the bridge. These were likley from a piledriver. The photo below is looking at pier #5.






The photo above is looking from the east floodwall. The photo below is looking at the obervation platforms on the bridge.






The phot above is looking underneath the through plate girder span. The photo below is looking at the eastern I-Beam span.






The photos above and below are looking from the east floodwall.






The photo above is looking at a bridge shoe on pier #5. The photo below is looking west along the bridge.






The photo above is looking at the bridge in early 2004. The photo below is a 1960 postcard. The M&STL bridge is in the foreground, the IAIS bridge behind that, and what is now the Red Bridge behind that. Note the west approach...

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