The bridge is back, and so is an important connection to Adel.
Iowa Bicycle Coalition Board President Rose Willey-Farver and Vice President Pat Dunn Drees joined the celebration on August 21st marking the reopening of the Raccoon River Valley Trail bridge.
Hearing representatives from the Adel Rotary Club and the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association describe the loss of trail traffic and tourism during the bridge’s closure reinforced something we know from our 2025 Economic Impact Study: bicycling and trails are economic drivers for Iowa communities.
When a key trail connection is lost, local businesses feel it. When that connection is restored, cyclists return, tourism rebounds, and communities benefit.
We are excited to see riders crossing the bridge again, biking into Adel, and supporting the local businesses that make it such a welcoming trail destination.
Communities interested in understanding the economic value of bicycling and trails can connect with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition for results from our 2025 Economic Impact Study and information they can use to support local planning, investment, and advocacy.
Contact us at bikeinfo@iowabicyclecoalition.org or visit our page on the Economic Impact Study to learn more.
