Springfield Standard

The City of Springfield has extended the deadline for contractor bids for the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge rehabilitation project, offering more time for interested parties to submit their proposals. Project Manager Nicholas Edelman explained, "Addendum two provided additional contract flexibility that many of the contractors needed additional time to consider. We decided to push the deadline back one more week to give ample time."

The Jefferson Avenue Footbridge, a historic landmark in Springfield, was built in 1902 by The American Bridge Company of Pennsylvania. This 562-foot-long steel bridge has a unique multi-arched cantilever design that allowed for construction over the railroad tracks, minimizing impacts to the rail lines below. The footbridge has significant historical and engineering importance as it symbolizes the unity of two cities and their connection to the railroad and commercial growth.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003, the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge has served as a vital link between neighborhoods and districts in Springfield. Prior to its closure, it facilitated pedestrian and bicycle movement between the Commercial Street Historic District and the Woodland Heights Neighborhood, contributing to the growth and development of the area.

The rehabilitation project aims to restore this iconic structure and maintain its historical significance. Interested contractors can find updated details and submit their proposals by 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Additional information on the effort to rehabilitate the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge can be accessed at springfieldmo.gov/footbridge.