August 21, 1982
A tied-arch bridge crossing a section of the Mississippi River between Iowa and Wisconsin was officially opened. This bridge connects the Iowa city of Dubuque with the Wisconsin town of Jamestown. The Cedar Rapids Gazette noted that “sunny skies greeted the structure’s debut.”
More than 6,000 people turned out for the grand opening of the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge. “Many spectators got up at dawn and waited in line to be among the first to walk across the span,” reported the Cedar Rapids Gazette. “The first 2,000 in line received commemorative ribbons.” The festivities on that Saturday also included a parade of antique automobiles traveling over the bridge.
James E. Brady (born in 1941), who had become mayor of Dubuque earlier that year and would serve in the position until 1994, was among those on hand for the opening of the bridge. He characterized the building of the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge as “an awesome task for many.” Brady also asserted, “This has taken us one step closer to the economic viability that this part of the nation needs.” The other public officials attending the inauguration of the bridge included Ray Barnhart (1928-2013), who was head of the Federal Highway Administration from 1981 to 1987.
Sheldon Juhler Kardell (1950-2020) of the Iowa Department of Transportation was the supervisor for the construction of the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge. He later confirmed that he was more proud of this project than any of his other engineering achievements.
Measuring 2,851 feet (899 meters) in length, the four-lane Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge carries U.S. Highway 61/U.S. Highway 151. This structure replaced the Eagle Bridge, which had been in service since 1902.
Photo Credit: Public Domain
Additional information on the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge is available at https://www.bridgehunter.com/bridge/13432 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/iowahighways/6035396827
Transportation History 
Leave a comment