September 2025 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter
- Shaun Riekena
- Aug 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 3
RRVT Trail Infrastructure Updates
Bridge Us Back Campaign
This is the latest update on the repair of the Lighted Bridge in Adel, which was damaged by fire in early May. The fire caused significant structural damage to the bridge, including the lighting system, railings, and support elements. The bridge approach on the east side, extending 150 feet to the west, will need to be replaced.
The damaged 150-foot timber span is not salvageable and will be removed. Engineering design is underway to replace it with a new pre-engineered steel truss, supported by a new east bridge abutment. Construction will require driving new piling to create a solid foundation. The steel truss will be prefabricated off-site, transported to the location, assembled on-site, and lifted into place by crane—an approach like the 2024 rehabilitation of the Mosquito Creek bridge north of Redfield.
Restoring the bridge comes with a price tag of nearly $900,000, and insurance will not cover the full cost. To close the gap, Dallas County Conservation developed a fundraising plan combining public funds, private donations, and support from foundations and grants. The plan calls for Dallas County to contribute 53% of the total ($478,000), the City of Adel to provide 10% ($100,000), and the remaining 37% to come from grants, foundations, and private donors.
Private fundraising is being led by Dallas County Conservation and Adel Partners through the Bridge Us Back campaign. To date, the Dallas County Conservation Foundation has pledged $50,000. While the City of Adel has expressed support for the project, it declined to make a financial contribution. Dallas County is still reviewing the request, as they will now need to fill a larger gap.Â
What’s Happening on the North Loop? Yale to Winkleman Switch
For trail users on the Raccoon River Valley Trail’s north loop, smoother rides are on the horizon. Greene and Guthrie counties are moving forward with plans to resurface the 14-mile stretch between Yale and Winkleman Switch, a section of asphalt that’s been in place since 1998 and is now showing its age. With significant funding already secured and engineering work underway, the long-anticipated project is steadily shifting from vision to reality.
Funding & Planning Developments
Greene and Guthrie County Conservation Departments have secured $1.2 million in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds and have contracted WHKS Engineering to advance additional grant applications for the project.
Significant Legacy Grant Received
A $500,000 Legacy Grant from Grow Greene County offers a substantial boost—nearly halfway toward the project’s estimated total funding. This brings the resurfacing effort much closer to reality, with both counties optimistic about securing the remainder.
Project Scope & Timeline
The resurfacing targets a 14-mile stretch of aging asphalt laid in 1998—from Winkleman Switch to Yale.
The goal is to replace or rehabilitate the deteriorated surface to improve safety, accessibility, and overall user experience.
As of mid–2025, the project is in the preparatory phase, including grant pursuit and engineering planning. No construction has begun yet.
Next Steps
Finalizing funding, potentially from federal grants and other sources.
Engineering design and project planning efforts by WHKS.
Once fully funded and designed, construction can proceed, likely within the next couple of years.
Once completed, the resurfaced north loop will offer a safer, more enjoyable experience for cyclists, walkers, and other trail users, while strengthening connections between the small towns along the route. With funding steadily coming together and planning progressing, Greene and Guthrie counties are optimistic that this important section of the trail will soon provide the quality and accessibility that residents and visitors have long hoped for.
PURCHASE RRVT APPAREL
100% of proceeds support RRVT
Two September Rides to Support Trail Projects
This September, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association will host two special bike rides to raise funds for critical trail infrastructure projects. While the primary goal is to generate support for these efforts, both rides also give cyclists the chance to enjoy scenic stretches of the trail as fall colors begin to appear in Iowa.
Ride 1 – Bridge Us Back
Saturday, September 20
Route:Â Redfield Depot to Adel (roundtrip)
Start Time:Â 9:30 a.m. from Redfield
This ride supports the repair of Adel’s iconic Lighted Bridge, which was damaged by fire in May. Riders can enjoy breakfast beforehand at the Redfield American Legion Hall or opt for a meal in Adel—both communities have lost business due to the bridge closure, and this ride is a way to support them while helping fund the bridge restoration.
Ride 2 – Pave the Way
Saturday, September 27
Route:Â Jefferson to Cooper (roundtrip)
Start Time:Â 9:30 a.m. from Jefferson
Proceeds from this ride will go toward resurfacing the trail between Yale and Winkleman Switch, a 14-mile section first paved in 1998 that is now due for repair. We are excited to announce that State Senator Jesse Green will serve as the celebrity host for this ride, helping to highlight the importance of maintaining this vital community resource.
Riders can find plenty of food and drink options in Jefferson before or after the ride. While there are no services in Cooper, the restored depot provides public restrooms.
Registration & Extras
Registration is $25 per ride and includes your choice of an RRVTA koozie or a Bike World water bottle.
Both rides offer more than just a great day on the trail—they’re an opportunity to give back, strengthen our communities, and help keep the Raccoon River Valley Trail in top shape for years to come.
RRVTA to Welcome Intern This Fall
The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is excited to announce plans to welcome an intern from Iowa State University this fall to assist with marketing, website management, social media, and event coordination. As an all-volunteer board, adding an intern will help expand the association’s outreach and strengthen connections with trail users and communities.
This new internship is made possible through a generous donation from board member Jim Theisen and his wife Mary, whose support is funding the position. The intern will play a key role in upcoming initiatives, including marketing campaigns and preparations for the 2026 RRVTA Banquet.
The RRVTA has a long history of collaboration with Iowa State. The College of Design developed the trail’s logo as one of its projects, creating the raccoon emblem, the color scheme, and the distinctive diamond background. In addition, for the past two years, the Iowa State Athletics Department has generously donated a skybox for an Iowa State football game as a Live Auction item at the RRVTA’s annual banquet.
With this new partnership, the RRVTA looks forward to building on that tradition, engaging more people in the trail’s story, and ensuring its continued success for years to come.
Correction
In last month’s newsletter, we made two errors regarding new board member Dustin Lantz:
His name was misspelled.
His bio stated that he had coordinated the Saturday morning Legion breakfast for the past 13 years. In fact, Dustin has coordinated the Saturday morning American Legion breakfasts during the 14 weeks each summer.
We apologize for these errors.
