FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2023 –
The National Scenic Byway Program announced its grant awards for 2023.
For the first time this decade, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced grant awards for the National Scenic Byway Program. The City of Burlington, Iowa was awarded $1,071,780 for work on the Cascade Bridge.
The City of Burlington has included the replacement of Cascade Bridge in its Capital Improvement Plan and continues to secure funding for the project. This grant award is in addition to the one-million dollars in Iowa Department of Transportation funding through the City Bridge Program.
Burlington Mayor Jon Billups expressed appreciation to the Federal Highway Administration for their recognition of this important section of the Great River Road.
“I am excited to receive this funding so that work on replacement of the bridge continues. The award is recognition of the importance of Burlington’s place along the Great River Road”, Billups stated.
The grant award will fund planning requirements and engineering designs to reopen Cascade Bridge to vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic over Cascade Ravine on South Main Street.
“The work will allow for the Great River Road route to be placed back on its original route directly through Crapo and Dankwardt Parks in Burlington”, noted Assistant City Manager Nick MacGregor.
Cascade Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been closed for nearly 15 years due to structural deficiencies.
On April 28, 2023, FHWA awarded $21.8 million to 33 byway projects in 29 states, including five Tribal lands. These are the first National Scenic Byways Program grants awarded since 2012. See the press release.
Established by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and administered by FHWA, the National Scenic Byways Program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve, and enhance roads throughout the United States designated as America’s Byways.
In February 2021, FHWA announced 49 designations to the America’s Byways® collection, including 15 All-American Roads and 34 National Scenic Byways in 28 States. These designations increased the number of America’s Byways® to 184 in 48 States.
Learn more about the National Scenic Byways Program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
City of Burlington
Nick MacGregor Chad Bird
Assistant City Manager for Public Works City Manager
(319) 753-8171 (319) 753-8120
macgregorn@burlingtoniowa.org birdc@burlingtoniowa.org