Built in 1902, this bridge is the final outdated structure on CRANDIC’s Amana subdivision south of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The replacement project will:
- Raise the new bridge by 30 inches, exceeding the 100-year flood height.
- Lengthen and widen the through-truss span.
- Increase load capacity to 286,000 pounds, surpassing the existing bridge’s design limits.
This bridge serves as a vital link in CRANDIC’s rail system. On average, 90,000 railcars—including over 27,000 carrying hazardous materials—cross it each year. Replacing it ensures decades of safe, reliable operations, supporting efficient rail freight transportation for industries in and around Cedar Rapids.
Scheduled for completion in Q3 2025 (barring major 2025 spring flooding), the upgraded bridge will accommodate heavier railcars and locomotives, safeguard against flooding, and enable us to better serve our customers and communities.
This project is made possible through a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). These grants fund efforts to modernize rail infrastructure, ensuring safety and reliability across the industry.
Since 2008, CRANDIC Rail has replaced the other eight bridges in the Amana subdivision, which connects the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) to its interchange point with CRANDIC Rail at its yard outside Cedar Rapids.
