The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and Iowa Department of Transportation (IADOT) are offering the historic bridge described below for alternative use as per applicable federal transportation and historic preservation laws. The bridge was originally constructed in 1951, opened to traffic in 1956 and carries Nebraska Highway 51 (N-51)/ Iowa Highway 175 (IA-175) over the Missouri River between Decatur in Burt County, Nebraska and Monona County, Iowa. Letters of interest or proposals for reuse will be accepted until January 19, 2026. This bridge was determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places by the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in 2011 and by the Nebraska SHPO in 2013. It is considered a historic property. The Decatur Bridge is 1,956 feet long and consists of a three-span Nebraska Approach Unit, a two-span rigid-connected Warren-type through-truss River Unit, and two Iowa Approach Units each composed of three spans. The bridge has a clear roadway width of 22 feet, 6 inches, consisting of two 11-foot 3-inch-wide lanes and no shoulders. The deck is comprised of open steel grate panels, with a steel C-channel curb. The bridge railing is a built-up steel rail with W-shaped posts spaced 7 feet 6 inches apart, with the rail extending approximately 2 feet 11 inches above the riding surface. Additional information is available at https://dot.nebraska The bridge is not suitable or intended for vehicular service in another location, and all rehabilitation work to implement its non-vehicular reuse in another setting must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation in consultation with the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office. The costs of relocating, rehabilitating, and remediating the bridge or any portion of the bridge as applicable would be the responsibility of the prospective owner. Due to the age of the bridge, it is assumed that lead based paint is present and the removal of any lead-based paint from the steel structure in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements would be the responsibility of the prospective owner. The bridge foundations or piers would be removed separately by NDOT’s bridge contractor. Interested parties may request additional information, indicate an interest, or submit a reuse proposal by contacting: Stacy Stupka Nebraska Department of Transportation 1500 Nebraska Parkway Lincoln, NE 68509-4759 (402) 479-3879 stacy.stupka@nebraska.gov ZNEZ BCI 12.18.25
