~ Springfield, MO- On Wednesday, June 18, the community gathered to celebrate the start of construction for the long-awaited Jefferson Avenue Footbridge Rehabilitation project. With over 130 people in attendance, the event marked a significant milestone in the preservation and revitalization of this historic bridge.

The ceremony began with remarks from project partners, including Springfield Mayor Jeff Schrag. He expressed his gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality and emphasized the importance of preserving the character and history of both the bridge and C-Street for future generations.

One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity for attendees to leave their mark on a new steel beam that will be used in the rehabilitation process. Many took advantage of this unique opportunity as they watched Branco Enterprises, the City's contractor, continue their specialized work on removing sections of the footbridge for rehabilitation on the ground.

"This project has been a long time coming," said Mayor Schrag. "It represents years of hard work, advocacy, and a shared belief that this bridge is worth preserving and reimagining. I want to thank Lincoln Hough and our State Legislators for approving an $8 million state budget appropriation to support this project. And thank you to all our project partners who have helped us reach this moment."

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The Jefferson Avenue Footbridge rehabilitation project is expected to be completed in early 2026. Due to its fracture-critical nature and extensive rehabilitation work required, it was determined by Public Works, Branco Enterprises, and Great River Engineering that disassembling and rehabilitating the bridge on the ground would be safest and most efficient before reconstructing it later this year.

The bridge span across the railroad tracks is currently being dismantled and moved in large pieces to BNSF rail yard. The majority of it will be placed in the rail yard to the north while a smaller portion will go south. Crews have also begun demolition and reconstruction of the bridge footings.

While the bridge is on the ground, crews will work to encapsulate it in order to remove paint, replace structurally deficient steel members, replace wood decking and stairs, repaint the bridge, and install new lighting. Elevators will also be installed on both the north and south approaches to make the bridge compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide access for all.

The reconstructed bridge span is expected to be 3-4 feet higher than its previous height this fall. This will provide additional clearance above the tracks, allowing BNSF to perform future maintenance and rail replacements while protecting the historic structure. The finalization of stairs and elevator construction will follow, with an anticipated completion date of early 2026.

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The Jefferson Avenue Footbridge holds significant historical significance as it was built in 1902 as the first of its kind in Missouri. Its unique multi-arched cantilever design allowed for construction over 13 tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard without disrupting train traffic. It also represents the coming together of two cities - North and South - and their connection to the railroad and commercial growth opportunities it provided.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, this bridge has been a symbol of growth and opportunity for over a century. Prior to its closure in March 2016 due to safety concerns, it served as a vital pedestrian and bicycle connection between Commercial Street Historic District and Woodland Heights Neighborhood. It also played a role in spurring growth for Moon City Creative District across the tracks to the north.

The City hired Springfield-based Great River Engineering (GRE) to conduct a thorough structural evaluation after discovering corrosion and steel loss during a routine inspection. The results revealed deficiencies in more than one third of primary structural members, leading to its closure until extensive repairs could be made.

For more information on this project or to sign up for regular email updates, visit springfieldmo.gov/footbridge. The community is excited to see the completion of this project and the revitalization of this historic landmark.

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