The Bridges of Winneshiek County

The State of Iowa has just completed its inspections of problem bridges in Winneshiek County.  It is listing 23 bridges as requiring another inspection in 48 months; 27 bridges needing inspection in 24 months; and 21 bridges as being in "critical" condition, needing inspection in another 12 months.

Winneshiek County supervisors spent time Monday reviewing their list of bridges that are scheduled for replacement within the next five years.  But getting the bridges replaced is a complicated business.  That's because there are frequently wetland mitigation projects required, or archeological inspections.

And even when a bridge project gets a go-ahead, there's the question of which source of funding will be used to pay for the cost.  Federal, state and local funds all can be used to pay for a bridge project, but there are requirements from the state and federal governments about which projects qualify for their funding--and paperwork that must be submitted to prove that claim.

"It's a moving target," said supervisor Mark Kuhn.  The county board has cleared the way for two bridge replacement projects next summer--but as many as five other bridge projects could be done.

Supervisors are discussing when to replace a bridge on Pole Line Road, another on County A-14; and the Hutchinson Bridge on Scenic River Road.  Final decisions haven't been made--as Kuhn says, the whole schedule is always in flux.