City of Decorah accepts Iowa DOT's offer of $1 million in state aid to replace the Oneota Drive Bridge

The City of Decorah is getting some financial help from the Iowa DOT in replacing the Oneota Drive Bridge near the Decorah Campground.  The DOT says it will spend up to $1 million in state funds to pay 80 percent of the cost of a new bridge.

State inspectors gave the bridge a "deficiency rating" last year, but temporary fixes were made and the state allowed the bridge to remain open..

City officials have gotten estimates from WHKS Engineering on the cost of six options for a new bridge, ranging from $1.3 million for relocating the road and installing a pre-engineered steel truss bridge to $970,000 to rehabilitate the existing bridge structure.  City officials will spend 2017 studying the options and getting public input.  The new bridge would then be installed in 2018.