Work might be done on Ice Cave Road

It's one of the heavier-trafficked streets in Decorah.  It is also built on the side of a hill.  Ice Cave Road carries a lot of traffic, but it's also susceptible to erosion of its roadbed.

Now the Winneshiek County Engineer's Office will be conducting an engineering study to determine what work is needed to improve the condition of the street--and what it would cost.

County Engineer Lee Bjerke told county supervisors Monday that portions of the road are "still sliding."  The worst portion of the road, says Bjerke, is right at Ice Cave.  He says the roadway has become "terribly distorted" and needs work.

Of course, the study will involve what can be done to stop the hillside from slipping.  Bjerke says drilling holes to anchor the roadbed to the hillside are one possibility.

County supervisor John Beard encouraged Bjerke's staff to do the engineering study, saying the county "needs to look at the underlying issues" involving the road.

Cracks in the pavement because the roadbed has slid down

The shoulder of the road drops off steeply in some places