Progress is being made on replacing Dahly Bridge

(decorahnews.com file photo)

It's probably the most famous bridge in Winneshiek County at this point.  The Dahly Bridge was destroyed May 5th when a grain truck weighing over 30 tons crossed the bridge--which had a three ton weight limit.  The bridge collapsed.

Since then Winneshiek County officials have been working on plans for a replacement bridge.  Those plans have been submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers, with a response expected later this week.

Assuming the plans win approval--which has been the initial indication--county officials can work on securing the right-of-way needed for the new bridge.

If that work is successful, a bid opening in April of 2018 is a possibility, with work to begin next summer.  The bridge will not cost any local property tax money, with $828,000 pledged from the State of Iowa's bridge fund and the rest of the cost--whatever that is--coming from federal bridge replacement funds.

As for money from the insurance company of the trucking company, Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van der Maaten says those negotiations are still continuing.