Bridges of Downtown Des Moines

Four Melan Arch Bridges where constructed with Beaux Arts detailing. Each was faced with Bedford Limestone from the spring line up including stone handrails & balusters.

Melan System was different from reinforced concrete bridges built at the time, because it was not build iron bars into the reinforced concrete bridge structure, but used rigid truss arches made of iron.

The Locust Street Bridge was completed in 1907.

The Grand Avenue Bridge was completed in 1918

The Walnut Street Bridge was completed in 1918-20.

The only remaining Court Avenue Bridge was designed by Norman Vorse in 1917.

• Built by Koss Construction Company
• It was rebuilt in 1987 and the original details were maintained while the structural system was strengthened.
• NRHP 1998 Criteria C

The Walnut, Locust and Grand Avenue bridges were refaced and strengthened in the 1960’s.

Curved arches of the Walnut, Locust, and Grand Avenue bridges have been used as a symbol for the city, showing up in the city logo.  These arches also served as the basis for the design of the new I-235 reconstruction pedestrian and bridge guardrails.

The balustrade along the riverfront was a WPA project (1934-1939) that included 11,617 ft of river walls, 2 dams, Riverside Drive and River front Parks on each side of the river.