Why this twisting blue bridge is being called “Iowa’s Stonehenge”

David Dahlquist’s Mine Shaft Bridge from Iowa’s Stonehenge

When Union Pacific pulled up tracks in Iowa’s Des Moines River valley, they left 22 huge concrete piers standing 130 feet tall. Locals dubbed them “Iowa’s Stonehenge.”

Then in 2006, artist David Dahlquist saw more than ruins.

His team at RDG Dahlquist Art Studio worked with six design teams and local mining families to honor the area’s coal heritage.

After raising over $2 million in just five months, they built 41 steel frames that twist at 15-degree angles, creating the feel of a mine shaft.

Since opening in 2011, this half-mile art bridge draws thousands monthly to walk through Iowa’s glowing blue history.

Old Railroad Piers Became “Iowa’s Stonehenge” in 2003

Union Pacific Railroad wanted to shut down the freight line between Woodward and Ankeny in 2003. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation quickly spotted a chance for a rails-to-trails project.

This 25-mile stretch of railroad became available for turning into a walking path.

INHF had done similar rail-trail projects across Iowa since the early 1980s, making them the right group to lead the work.

Land Deal Secured 439 Acres for Future Trail

INHF bought the whole corridor from Union Pacific in 2005, with the railroad company giving away land worth over $3 million.

A committee formed with members from nine public agencies across five cities and four counties to guide the project.

Union Pacific took the steel I-beams from the 1913 bridge for new work near Boone but left behind 22 huge concrete piers standing 130 feet tall. Locals started calling these towers “Iowa’s Stonehenge.

Money Forced Tough Choices About Building Order

Congress approved $5.5 million in 2006, giving the project its first major funding.

The money created a problem: they could build either 20 miles of trail or the bridge, but not both. The committee chose trail construction first so people could start using it to see the Des Moines River.

Work started in 2006 with projects beginning at both ends in Woodward and Ankeny.

Cyclists Loved the Trail But Missed the River Crossing

Twenty miles of trail opened to eager cyclists and walkers in fall 2008.

Users enjoyed the new path but noticed the gap where the bridge should be, with only concrete piers standing as a reminder. The trail quickly became popular with the public.

Communities along the route pushed harder to finish the missing bridge connection.

Local Artists Drew Inspiration From Mining History

The Iowa Arts Council gave a small grant in 2006 to look into art ideas for the bridge. Committee members studied creative trail bridges in Fairfield, Iowa, and Tucson, Arizona, for ideas.

RDG Dahlquist Art Studio got the design contract with David Dahlquist leading the creative work.

Six different teams from RDG worked together, bringing artists, landscape architects, engineers, lighting designers, and urban planners to the project.

Workshops Revealed Deep Coal Mining Heritage

RDG team members hiked along river banks, took hundreds of photos, and visited local museums to learn about the area’s history. They held public meetings in each trail community to gather ideas and build local support.

The story of Italian immigrant coal miners became the main theme for the design.

Community members got excited about honoring local families whose ancestors had worked in the area’s mines.

Steel “Cribs” Created Tunnel-Like Experience

The design team came up with the “From Here to There” idea featuring a journey through what feels like a mineshaft.

They planned 41 weathering steel frames called “cribs” that would change shape and turn at 15-degree angles as riders cross the bridge.

Blue LED lights would light up the inside faces, creating the feel of traveling through an underground tunnel. The team used virtual reality videos to show what the riding experience would feel like.

Private Donors Matched Million-Dollar State Grant

Project supporters raised over $550,000 from private donors in just five months, a big success for rural Iowa communities. This fundraising helped them get a Vision Iowa Challenge Grant of $1.75 million.

The combined funding was the largest state economic development grant given to that point.

Engineering firm Shuck-Britson teamed up with RDG to handle the technical parts of bringing the artistic vision to life.

Winter Weather Created Construction Challenges

Bridge construction began in 2009 during winter. Frozen ground and low river levels let contractors reach the valley floor to place beams on the existing piers.

When spring 2010 came with thaws and rain, the valley filled with water, forcing workers to finish the concrete deck from above. Putting in the artistic steel elements pushed construction through a second winter season.

Artists and Engineers Solved Complex Problems Together

Iowa Department of Transportation funding came with many rules the team had to follow. Every weld needed checking at heights over 130 feet above the river valley, creating tough work conditions.

The teamwork between artists, engineers, architects, and lighting designers helped solve complex problems. The bridge deck and sculptural steel framework had to work together as one system.

Thousands Celebrated at 2011 Grand Opening

The High Trestle Trail Bridge finally opened on April 30, 2011, with a grand celebration. More than 3,000 visitors came on a sunny Saturday to be among the first to cross the finished span.

The project gained worldwide attention, with the BBC naming it one of “eight amazing footbridges” in 2015.

The bridge became a landmark for Iowa, attracting 20,000 visitors monthly during peak season and boosting tourism in all the surrounding communities.

Visiting High Trestle Trail Bridge, Iowa

You can visit the High Trestle Trail Bridge for free anytime at 2335 QF Lane in Madrid, Iowa, with parking about 0.8 miles from the bridge.

The bridge honors Iowa’s coal mining history with six interpretive panels and blue LED lights that illuminate the steel framework from sunset to midnight April-October and sunset to 9 PM November-March.

No motorized vehicles or alcohol are allowed, and organized events need free permits from Madrid or Boone County Conservation.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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