State bridge inspector is in Winneshiek County this week

An inspector from the Iowa Department of Transportation is in Winneshiek County this week, looking at several local bridges. The "fracture critical bridges" are being inspected to determine whether they can remain open or should be closed.

Currently, five bridges in Winneshiek County are closed to traffic because of structural issues:

Bridge #281 on Happy Hollow Road has been closed and moved to the bike trail by Trout Run Road, with no plans to replace with a new bridge.

Bridge #376 on 360th St. NE of Highlandville has been closed.  Plan to replace it this summer--waiting on permits

Bridge #192 on 150th St. by Fort Atkinson Park has been closed and its future is unknown, due to funding limits

Bridge # 347 on Chimney Rock Rd. is closed but under contract to replace this summer

Bridge #354 on Scenic River Rd. by Hutchinson Campground has been closed, but the county is working on plans for replacement

All current closures are due to severe structural deficiencies.

Bridge #305 on 230th St. is open with a weight restriction, but under contract to replace this summer

Three bridges which previously had been closed are now open:

Bridge #4 on Moneek Road just west of the intersection of 127th Ave. in Bloomfield Township has been rehabilitated

Bridge # 261 on Ranch Road has been replaced

Bridge #109 on West Ravine Road has been replaced

The bridge inspector from the Iowa DOT will prepare a report on his local inspections, along with any recommendations that a bridge should be closed.