Spectators gathered the first night (June 28) as the first truss was lifted into place across University Boulevard. Photos by Christopher Gannon.
With all four lanes of University Boulevard closed four nights last week, crews were able to set in place the steel trusses and concrete spans over the road, the center section of the east gateway bridge. Side panels and Iowa State branding art will be installed on the road overpass. The structure will serve as both a southeast entrance marker to campus and a safe access route for football fans between Jack Trice Stadium and gameday parking east of the boulevard.
The athletics department is paying for the quarter-mile long walkway with donor funds. Completion is anticipated by the end of the month so it's ready for use Sept. 3, Iowa State's first home football game. The project also includes a walkway outside the northeast corner of the stadium to connect to the north plaza area and promote year-round use of the bridge, and fencing along the west side of University Boulevard between South Fourth and 16th streets.
A team members secures the north truss to the tower on the east side of University Boulevard. The south truss lies horizontally in the left corner of the photo.
