PROJECT

Westbrook Park Pedestrian Bridge.

DeWitt, Iowa

Westbrook Park Pedestrian Bridge

project details.

Client

City of DeWitt

Location

DeWitt, Iowa

Services

Engineering
Municipal
Transportation
Land Survey

Delivering a solution to a flooding problem while creating a connection between trails.

To provide a more reliable connection between the Skeffington Memorial Trail and the Silver Creek Trail in DeWitt, the City hired Origin Design to provide design and survey services for a new 10’ wide pedestrian bridge over Silver Creek. The previous bridge was plagued by frequent flooding.

The preliminary bridge design required several layouts to balance trail design standards and hydraulic efficiency. The bridge was set in a location that took advantage of the natural topography to reduce the size of the bridge, saving the City money and lessening the impact on the surroundings, including saving several trees.

project overview

Due to the relatively short project development period, and regulatory agency backlog, this project required closer coordination with regulatory agencies than most projects. Because of that close coordination, construction started on time to protect a time-sensitive funding source.

During construction, Silver Creek flooded—the flooding actually put some suspicions to rest. Given the existing wooden bridge was constructed so far under the 100-year flood elevation and the bottom of the new bridge was so much higher than the top of the old bridge, some questioned the chosen design, but the flooding proved that the design was appropriate.

Installation of the bridge also improved a relatively steep section of the existing trail. By tying in uphill of the existing trail, the steep section was shortened and essentially eliminated overall. This was well-received by parents in the community with safety concerns for their children.

Origin Design delivered the solution the City of DeWitt was looking for and in doing so positively impacted the community.

Follow our journey.

Our team had an exciting afternoon celebrating the ribbon cutting of the Platteville Aquatic Center! We’re proud to have played a role in bringing this project to life by providing land development, architectural, and survey services. It’s always rewarding to help create spaces that will serve and strengthen the community for years to come.

Put your expertise to work on projects that shape communities and a career you’ll be proud of. Join Origin Design today! https://origindesign.com/careers

On International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the incredible impact of women across engineering. Thank you for the work you do every day to move us forward and inspire what’s next.

n Oelwein last month, Origin’s Construction Inspection and Testing team supported the 10th St. Bridge deck pour, part of the bridge and roadway projects we inspect across the region. We verified epoxy-coated rebar ahead of the pour, then performed on-site testing during placement including air, slump, and depth to confirm consistency and meet project specifications. From placement through curing, our team remained on-site to monitor, document, and help ensure the deck was built right.

Downtown spaces shape how communities connect, gather, and grow. Civil Engineer, Andy Goedken, and our team collaborated with the City of Volga to reimagine its Main Street, improving function and safety while reinforcing its role at the center of community life. Learn more about the project and the collaboration behind it: https://origindesign.com/.../strengthening-the-heart-of...

Field Trip Friday! Project Manager Andrew Busch and our Marketing team checked in on progress at the East Dubuque Emergency Services Building.One focus on this project remains holding onto the character of the existing building while updating it to better serve the needs of departments today.We’re especially excited about the upcoming glass-enclosed stairwell that will connect the existing Fire and Police stations, blending a sleek, modern feature with the original structure.

What a great day at the WCHA Golf Outing! We were proud to serve as a Hole Sponsor and connect with community members and industry professionals. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit and help make it an enjoyable and successful event.

A big congratulations to Jack Edens and Josh Layer on their graduation from Leadership Dubuque.This program brings together professionals who want to grow as leaders and stay involved in their communities, something they’ve both embraced this past year. We're proud to have them on our team!

We’re excited to welcome our 2026 Summer Interns ElleAnna DeSollar, Patrick Clark, and Marcus Kreul to the #OriginCrew! Across three departments, they’ll be diving in, building their skills, and supporting our team throughout the summer.

Bring your expertise where it makes an impact. Help shape communities with a team that values your knowledge.

Today, we remember and honor the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Our offices will be closed Today, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday,

Happy National Accounting Professionals Day! Today we’re recognizing the team who keeps our finances clear and our business moving forward. Your insight helps guide decisions and supports our success every day. Thank you for all you do.