The Jefferson Street Viaduct

Built in 1935-36

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

1. The Jefferson Street Viaduct Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Clayton B. Fraser, 8/31/1994:
Although it was built in 1935-36, the Jefferson Street Viaduct traces its roots 15 years earlier. Beginning in 1921, Ottumwa city officials began meeting with the CB&Q, the GRI&P and the CM&StP railroads with the idea of building a viaduct over the numerous tracks that paralleled the Des Moines River. Nothing concrete came of these discussions, however, and, after a change of city administration, the project was shelved until 1929. Planning began again that year, with the city considering sites at several streets. Because the proposed bridge was to carry U.S. Highways 34 and 63 - then carried over the Market Street Bridge (1892), the city sought financial and design help from the Iowa State Highway Commission. ISHC agreed to fund construction of a new bridge over the Des Moines River, provided the city would pay for construction of the viaduct on the northern end. Jefferson Street was eventually designated as the crossing site. Between 1930 and 1935 ISHC presided over meetings with the city and the railroads to resolve differences between the three entities.
Finally, highway commission engineers delineated a five-span, riveted Warren deck truss, carried continuously by massive concrete piers in the river. The highway commission

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

2. The Jefferson Street Viaduct Marker

The marker is on a tall post near the northeast end of the viaduct.

designated the viaduct's construction Project P-480 and in December 1934 awarded a contract for it to the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company. The Milwaukee-based firm began excavations for the substructure early in 1935, hoping to complete the structure by Christmas. But difficulties with weather and labor unions delayed the work, and it was not until May 1936 that the structure was completed. At the dedication ceremonies on May 28th, Iowa Governor Clyde Herring and Ottumwa Mayor Edwin Manning spoke before a crowd of about 15,000 people, before two Ottumwa girls christened the bridge with bottles of champagne. The Jefferson Street Viaduct has carried heavy traffic since, with a major rehabilitation of its deck and guardrails in 1983 as its most substantial alteration.

Fueled with federal funds from the various relief agencies, the Iowa State Highway Commission designed several large-scale urban viaducts in the 1930s. These featured a variety of superstructure types, but perhaps none was as distinctive as the Jefferson Street Viaduct in Ottumwa. The city had wanted a concrete bridge here, in part because of the aesthetics of the concrete arch form. But ISHC opted instead for this steel truss design as a more economical alternative. With its five arched deck truss spans held above the Des Moines River on tapered concrete pedestals, the structure is one of Iowa's most handsomely

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

3. Skip Stevens Memorial Bridge Marker

(located beside the National Register marker)
7/7/1941-3/7/2023
Skip Stevens Memorial Bridge
Served the City of Ottumwa
1961 to 2006
City Council
2014-2021

proportioned highway trusses. It is technologically noteworthy as an uncommon application of deck truss technology in Iowa, a state not known for generous underdeck clearances at its stream and river crossings. With its structural integrity largely intact, the Jefferson Street Viaduct was an important exercise in Iowa urban bridge construction in the 1930s.

Excerpt:  The Iowa State Highway Commission (ISHC) agreed to share the costs of the bridge with the city in January 1934. Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company of Des Moines was paid $10,400 to prepare design plans for a steel viaduct and Marsh Engineering Company, also of Des Moines, was paid $10,500 to prepare plans for a reinforced concrete bridge. In December of the same year, bids were submitted and Snyder & Johnson of Humboldt, Iowa, won the bid for the concrete structure and Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company won the bid for the steel design. The ISHC took full control of the project, including its financing, and chose the less expensive steel design. The bridge was built in fifteen months in 1935 and 1936.

The bridge carried traffic for US 34 and US 63 until a new bridge was built on the west side of downtown to carry the highway traffic. The bridge

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

4. The Jefferson Street Viaduct

Looking south from East Main Street; the marker is beside the sidewalk on the left. The Jefferson Street Viaduct, also more recently known as the “Skip Stevens Memorial Bridge,” carries traffic over the Des Moines River and active railroad tracks.

underwent a major rehabilitation project in 1983–1984. The original railings were replaced with Jersey barriers at the time. The Jefferson Street Viaduct has a total of nine main spans and eight approach spans. The south side of the main span consists of four riveted Warren deck trusses. The north side consists of five cantilevered Warren deck truss spans over the river. It is a rare use of deck truss technology in Iowa. The main spans are 150 feet long and the whole structure is 2,120.5 feet long. The roadway is 33 feet wide.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

5. The Jefferson Street Viaduct

Looking southwest across the Des Moines River.