Demolition of the 113-year-old Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Des Moines is progressing. Crews from Cramer and Associates Inc. have removed the bridge’s paving, guardrails and the abutment on the east side of the bridge.

The bridge was structurally deficient, requiring a total replacement, city officials have said. The demolition crew is moving east to west as it removes the remaining sections of the bridge, which crosses over the Des Moines River.

The bridge will be replaced with a concrete beam four-span bridge with an aesthetic metal panel facade, pedestrian railing, and LED lighting, according to the city. The new bridge will have one eastbound and one westbound lane, parallel parking on the south side, back-in angle parking along the north side, five-foot-wide painted bike lanes and 10-foot-wide sidewalks. The project also includes removing and replacing the east riverwalk with a new balustrade railing between Walnut and Court avenues.

Replacement of the bridge is expected to cost about $19.8 million; over $1.1 million is for removal of the existing structure. Money for the project is coming from the city’s capital improvement program and tax increment finance bonds, federal block grant and utility companies.

The bridge replacement project is expected to be completed by fall 2026. To watch a live feed of the demolition, click here. Photos by John Retzlaff; rendering of new bridge courtesy city of Des Moines