The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a converted railroad right-of-way extending 63 miles through the scenic Southwest Iowa countryside. The Wabash Trace travels through 8 towns, 4 counties, and over 70 bridges. The corridor was purchased in 1989 and the trail was completed and dedicated in 1997. Establishment of the trail has required dedication from individuals, families, businesses, service organizations, and local, state, and federal grant programs.

After 35 years, much of the infrastructure that the trail's founders built, such as the decking on the bridges, is showing its age. For the safety and enjoyment of all our trail users, we have undertaken the massive task of prioritizing and re-decking all of the bridges on the trail. In the fall of 2014, our work crew experimented with a recycled plastic lumber made in Iowa for the re-decking of the Keg Creek Bridge just north of Mineola. This past spring, the lumber was also used to re-deck the former Children's Square/newly re-dedicated Jim Hannan Bridge south of Council Bluffs. The lumber is resilient, easy to work with, and should outlast the bridge's substructure. Thanks to grants from the Wellmark Foundation, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, Loess Hills Missouri River Region (through the Mid-American Energy Foundation), and the Mills County Community Foundation, two of the longest and most iconic bridges on the trail are scheduled to be re-decked this fall. The Silver Creek Bridge (between Malvern and Silver City) and the West Nishnabotna Bridge (between Malvern and Imogene) are also the only two overhead truss bridges on the trail. Along with the re-decking we are working with a local artist to illuminate the bridges, inspired by the success of the High Trestle Bridge in central Iowa. Despite the generous grants that we have received, and the contributions that SWINT is making, we still have a fundraising goal of at least $35,000 to meet our budget. We would be delighted if we exceed this amount, because that means that we can help re-deck even more bridges!

We hope you can help us meet this goal! If you are interested in learning more about large sponsorships that come with name recognition on the wings of the bridges, please email us at wabashtracenaturetrail@gmail.com. Thank you!

Mills County Bridge Renovations