Years of hard work and perseverance paid off today , as the City of Cedar Rapids learned it earned $56 . 4 Million in Federal funding for the 8th Avenue Arc of Justice Bridge Replacement Project . The funding will support the replacement of the 8th Avenue Bridge over the Cedar River as part of the City’s Flood Control System .
   The U . S . Department of Transportation made notice of the grant award on Friday , April 5 , as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative , Efficient , and Cost - Saving Transportation ( PROTECT ) Discretionary Grant Program .
   “This project holds significance for the entire community . I am incredibly proud of the team effort . Our perseverance has paid off , ” said City Manager Jeff Pomeranz . “This Federal funding award is an acknowledgement of the importance of the Flood Control System in Cedar Rapids and the effectiveness of the City’s approach . ”
   The City ' s success in earning this grant award underscores years of dedicated efforts by the City team to secure funding for the project . This marks the fifth application for Federal funding for the bridge replacement , following applications to the Bridge Improvement grant , two RAISE grants , the PROTECT Grant , and the BUILD grant . Each received a "highly recommend" or "recommend" score , yet faced competition in highly competitive and oversubscribed Federal funding programs .
   The City acknowledges the work of many over the years to advance funding for this project , including Senator Joni Ernst , Senator Charles Grassley , Representative Ashley Hinson , the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers , the Biden Administration , past and present Cedar Rapids City Council members , City lobbyists and grant writers , and the many businesses , residents , and community partners who demonstrated their support for the project and have served as a voice on the need for funding .
   “This award is a testament to the power of nonpartisan collaboration and a longstanding commitment to meeting the needs of our diverse population , ” said Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell . “As severe weather events intensify , the Arc of Justice Bridge will stand as a symbol of our work to shape a future where every community member can thrive . ”
   The Arc of Justice bridge incorporates several key features to ensure durability and accessibility during times of flooding . Elevated 15 feet above the existing 8th Avenue Bridge , it will remain open during flood conditions , providing an important route for Flood Control System deployment . The bridge will sit above the 2008 volume and require fewer piers in the river . The project includes streetscaping , lighting , four traffic lanes , two shared - use paths/bike trails ( one on each side ) , and connections to the Cedar River Trail . This resilient route will ensure crucial transportation and emergency medical access is maintained during flooding .
   The project became eligible for Iowa Flood Mitigation funds in 2016 . Design began in 2018 , following an extensive community - input process , where hundreds of Cedar Rapids residents weighed in on options . The design of the Arc of Justice Bridge matches the community’s selection through that process .
   The project is approximately 30% designed . The City has been actively updating environmental clearance documents in preparation for construction . The funding will accelerate remaining design work . The PROTECT grant is an 80% Federal grant with a 20% Local match . The City requested grant funding covering the available 80% of project costs , totaling $56 . 4 million — earning the full amount requested in the grant application . The remaining 20% will be funded by General Obligation Bonds and Iowa Flood Mitigation funds . The City also earned a $1 Million grant from the Iowa DOT’s City Bridge Program for use toward the bridge .
   Construction is set to start in 2027 , with an estimated three - year working window . Construction work will be coordinated with the existing West Side Flood Control System as well as the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers’ East Side project . The East Side project is expected to finish construction in 2026 . As a critical component in operating and maintaining the Flood Control System , the bridge ' s completion is necessary for final certification of the East Side Flood Control System .
   Several flood control projects are complete with several more underway . There is still a need for funding to complete the entire permanent Cedar River Flood Control System . For more detailed information on the system , visit
   CityofCR . com/FloodControl
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