The 76m-long steel replacement approach spans to the Burlington Bridge will use new reinforced concrete foundations.

Construction of the new approaches will complement a separate project that began last year to replace the bridge's swing span with a new lift span. BNSF decided to proceed with replacement of the approach spans to take advantage of current lower construction prices.

Ames Construction is contractor for the lift span project. The truss for the lift span is being assembled on barges downstream of the bridge and the span will be floated into place in December.

"Together with the new lift span, these approaches will mean an entirely new bridge that will benefit Iowa and Illinois, as well as customers and passengers all along the BNSF Chicago to Denver corridor," said' BNSF vice president, engineering, David Freeman.