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Raising the Red Bridge

Client:

City of Des Moines

Project Type:

Asset Management

Location:

Des Moines, Iowa

About the Project

Raising Des Moines’ Icon Red Pedestrian Bridge

When Stanley Consultants rehabilitated an abandoned 500-foot-long Union Railway bridge in downtown Des Moines, it was transformed into a red pedestrian bridge that quickly became a city icon. A decade later, the city found itself at a critical crossroads when an updated flow frequency analysis on the Des Moines River reported that the risk of flooding was now nearly double previous estimates, and that the Red Bridge’s height would exacerbate flooding. Stanley Consultants prepared options for elevating or demolishing the bridge. The bridge’s history and popularity led the city to spare it from demolition. To raise the million-pound bridge, both end spans were removed, and the remaining spans were raised in 12-inch increments using 30 hydraulic jacks. Stanley Consultants designed the bridge elevation, pier caps and approaches for this award-winning project.

By The Numbers

  • 4.5

    Bridge Elevated by 4.5 Feet

Solutions

Engineering & Design

Engineering and design services at Stanley Consultants combine our robust technical skills with forward-thinking innovation to deliver the highest-quality results.

Engineering Asset Management

We understand that assets, whether related to infrastructure, intellectual property or goodwill, are all unique—just like the needs of our clients. That's why our asset management consulting services are tailored to each project, providing data-driven insights and strategic solutions to help clients achieve their specific goals.

Engineering Planning & Consulting

At Stanley Consultants, we understand that planning and consulting include every aspect of engineering. Using advanced tools and methods, we deliver designs and master plans focused on longevity, resilience and sustainability to address today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities.

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