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Bridge over East Nish. at Avoca means more trail traffic & more business

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A new pedestrian bridge in Avoca connecting to a trail system was completed last month, giving residents of the community a connection from East Thomas Street to Edgington Memorial Park over the East Nishnabotna River. Anna Hoegh, director of Avoca Main Street, told the Daily NonPareil in 2007, the city council worked to establish the foundation of a prosperous future through a financial comprehensive plan.

The downtown master plan was a part of that idea, with a facade program to improve the aesthetics of the city’s downtown. Hoegh said the improvements will help the city attract more business while retaining what is already there. The pedestrian bridge cost $243,850 and was constructed to create a quicker route of travel for those who live on the east side of Avoca. It is 120 feet long and 12 feet wide, made of steel with a wooden deck.

The city only spent $72,358 on the project, however, thanks to grants by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for $75,000 and another grant from Regional Planning Area 18, which was for $171,492. The grant from the IDNR was devoted to the construction of three connecting trails from the bridge to the town.