BRIDGES OF DES MOINES 1909 – 1920

There were four Melan Arch Bridges constructed on the Des Moines River with Beaux Arts detailing. The Melan System, developed in the 1890’s, was different from 
reinforced concrete bridges built at the time, because it did not use iron bars built into the reinforced concrete bridge 
structure, but used rigid truss arches made of iron. 
 Each was faced with Bedford Limestone from the spring line up, including stone handrails & balusters. The bridges included:

  • Locust Street 1907
  • Grand Avenue 1918 (Currently a new bridge is being constructed)
  • Walnut Street 1920
  • Court Avenue 1917 (the architect was Norman Vorse, and the builders were Koss Construction.)

The Walnut, Locust and Grand Avenue bridges were refaced and strengthened in the 1960’s. The balustrade along the riverfront was a government WPA, project (1934-1939)

.