Trestle to Trestle Trail
Trestle to Trestle Trail
The 3.75 mile Trestle to Trestle Trail connects the Inner Urban Trestle Bridge in Des Moines to the Trestle Bridge in Johnston. This trail is jointly managed with the City of Des Moines.
*UPDATE: In the spring of 2019, the bridge over Beaver Creek along the Trestle to Trestle Trail collapsed. Designs for the new Trestle to Trestle bridge can be found HERE.
TENTATIVE CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
- Spring 2020- Bid letting for new bridge
- Summer 2020- Start of construction
- Winter/Spring 2020 & 2021- Substantial completion
- Summer 2021- Final Completion
TRESTLE TO TRESTLE REROUTE
A reroute along the trail has been established. Please see the map reroute for the Trestle to Trestle Trail here.
Trestle to Trestle Trailheads:
- South access is at Polk County's River Place office complex (2309 Euclid Avenue) in Des Moines.
- North access is at NW Lower Beaver Dr. (just east of NW Beaver Dr.) in Des Moines.
HISTORY
The Des Moines & Central Iowa Railroad began operations as the Inter-Urban Railway, incorporated in 1899 and soon after in 1902 connected Des Moines to Colfax, a distance of 23 miles. Four years later in 1906 the railroad built a 35-mile branch connecting Des Moines to Perry. In 1922 the system was reorganized as the Des Moines & Central Iowa Railroad. Passengers services on the system were discontinued in 1949 and the remaining freight business was switched from electric to diesel locomotives, which lasted into the 1950’s.
Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all trails within PCCB lands. The only exceptions are for maintenance, law enforcement, and emergency vehicles. This restriction does not apply to a manual-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability, e.g. wheel chair.