Federal Funding Awarded to Support Iowa County Bridges

Bridges in Washington, Keokuk, and Johnson counties to receive aid through Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:40pm

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A vibrant abstract illustration using overlapping triangles and rectangles in shades of blue, green, and orange to conceptually represent the federal funding supporting bridge repairs in Iowa.Federal dollars will help shore up critical bridge infrastructure across Iowa, addressing a pressing need for repair and maintenance.Iowa City Today

The state of Iowa has been awarded $64 million in federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help repair and maintain 67 bridges across 40 counties, including four bridges in the KCII-listening area that are currently in 'poor' condition.

Why it matters

Iowa ranks first in the nation for bridges needing repair, with 19% of its bridges considered structurally deficient. This federal funding will help address critical infrastructure needs in local communities and improve public safety.

The details

The federal aid will be distributed through two separate awards from the Department of Transportation's Competitive Highway Bridge Program. The four bridges receiving support are located in Washington, Keokuk, and Johnson counties, with two bridges in Iowa City over Ralston Creek.

  • The federal funding was awarded in April 2026.

The players

Iowa Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for overseeing the distribution of the federal bridge repair funds.

U.S. Department of Transportation

The federal agency that awarded the $64 million in funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

American Road and Transportation Builders Association

The industry group that provided data showing Iowa has the highest percentage of structurally deficient bridges in the nation.

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What’s next

The Iowa Department of Transportation will work with local county officials to coordinate the bridge repair projects and ensure the federal funding is used effectively.

The takeaway

This federal investment in Iowa's aging bridge infrastructure will help improve public safety and support the transportation needs of local communities across the state.