Bridge Talk

Just Over the Bridge
A celebration of Shellsburg's historic spandrel bridge

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Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The complete ribbon cutting ceremony on
November 16, 2023

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The concrete arch bridge over Bear Creek in Shellsburg was built in 1915 at a cost of $6,081. It differed from other Iowa concrete bridges built in the early 1900’s because of its ornamentation and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It served the community well for 108 years, but bridge inspections identified deterioration too costly to repair. A new bridge was built in 2023. The videos above capture the new bridge's ribbon cutting ceremony, as well as a historical appreciation for the old bridge and its contribution to the community. The photos below document the construction of the new bridge.
Ground level photos courtesy of Ed Shaeffer, Shellsburg
Overhead photos courtesy of Travis Brown, Pristine Shots, Shellsburg