Cedar View Bridge Enhancement
Cedar View Bridge on the Cedar View Trail updated

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Enhancements for the existing Cedar View Bridge over Crow Creek were installed in September, 2006, commissioned by the Jefferson County Trails Council and Jefferson County Conservation Board.

Judy Bales designed decorative elements to retrofit onto the Cedar View Bridge, helping to soften the very industrial appearance of the bridge. The art elements are fabricated from Cor-Ten steel, a metal that self-oxidizes, forming a protective coat of rust over time. The patina of rust will help visually integrate the bridge into the beautiful wooded environment.

The steel elements are stylized "tree-forms." Four tree-form designs repeat throughout the length of the bridge, with more elaborate shapes at the wings approaching the bridge. Bales designed the art elements to be firmly attached to the structure yet not obstruct the view of the creek.

Additional plans to enhance this bridge include openings in the chain link for easier viewing of the creek as well as prairie grasses and flagstone pavers at the approaches.

The project was made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as financial support from the Fairfield Art Association and The Dexter Company. Steffansmeir Manufacturing (in Pilot Grove, IA) cut and welded the steel, and Greg Vorhies of Schaus Vorhies Contracting supplied technical consultation and practical advice. Photos by Judy Bales.