Dowd Road bridge replacement complete, helps prevent flooding

Published Oct. 26, 2022

Work is complete on the Dowd Road bridge replacement project in rural Lincoln, greatly reducing the risk of seasonal flooding over the roadway and making way for two-way traffic.

Originally built in the 1930s, Dowd Road bridge was formerly a single-lane passing over Raccoon Creek, bordering a walnut orchard. The bridge had seven support piers supporting 138-feet of overpass allowing for debris to build-up and eventually lead to flooding.

The new bridge is 12 feet longer, 5feet higher and has only one support pier allowing for the water to pass smoothly through the low flow channel. 

The project included an effort to preserve habitats for bats and small birds that traditionally nest on the underside of the bridge above the water.

The bridge replacement was funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Federal Highway Bridge Program, which provides federal aid to local agencies to replace and rehabilitate deficient locally-owned public highway bridges.