Dahly Bridge is now open to vehicle traffic

It's probably the most famous bridge in Winneshiek County.  The Dahly Bridge was destroyed on May 5th of 2017 when a grain truck weighing over 30 tons crossed the bridge--which had a three-ton weight limit.  The bridge collapsed.

Winneshiek County and the insurance company for Sinclair Elevator, which owned the grain truck, reached an agreement on a settlement for damages done by the bridge collapse.  The agreement called for a payment to Winneshiek County of $140,000, although it included a statement that "the payment made hereunder is not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the party or parties."

The driver of the semi, 29-year-old Justin Hippen of Parkersburg, entered a guilty plea to a charge of violating a weight embargo and to a lesser charge of failure to obey a bridge embargo.  The two charges drew a combined fine of $1,577.14 plus court costs.

The attention then shifted to building a new bridge.  The Iowa Department of Transportation opened bids on the bridge construction project in March of this year.  Brennan Construction submitted a bid of $1,153,186.40 for the work--the only bid received.  However, the bid was close to the estimated cost.  Brennan also was the contractor for removing the bridge debris from the Upper Iowa River.

The bridge replacement did not cost Winneshiek County any local property tax money.  That's because the federal government, not Winneshiek County, will be paying for the project.  Federal bridge replacement funds will pay the entire cost, with no local funds involved.

The bridge has now opened to traffic.  Winneshiek County Engineer says Brennan Construction crews have finished dirt work around the bridge and the new structure can be used now.  That closes the book on a story that has played out for more than two-and-a-half years.

The Dahly Bridge--in less happy times! (decorahnews.com file photo by Paul Scott)