Bridge over the Upper Iowa River collapses as feed truck drives over it

The wheels on the left of the photo belong to the feed truck

A bridge on Cattle Creek Road collapsed Friday morning under the weight of a feed truck that drove over it.

County Engineer Lee Bjerke says the feed truck was carrying at least 15 tons of grain when it crossed the Dahly Bridge, which is rated at a 3 ton load limit.  As the truck was driving from east to west, the bridge collapsed into the Upper Iowa River.

County highway employees, police and tow truck operators were at the scene at midday Friday.  The driver of the semi was not injured in the accident, but the feed truck remained stuck on the remains of the bridge.

Bjerke says it might be necessary to bring in a crane to remove the semi.

The accident has closed Cattle Creek Road west of Bluffton.  The public is being asked to avoid the area.

Another concern with the accident is that canoeists, kayakers and other people using the Upper Iowa River should avoid the area, since the bridge created a serious hazard when it fell into the river.

County crews on the other side of the collapsed bridge (Click on photos for larger images)

The truck was stuck

Bill's Towing was called to the scene