Use of old railroad boxcar as a bridge on 360th Street might not happen

Winneshiek County has been using old railroad boxcars as bridges in some low traffic locations where they might work.  But the boxcars can have drawbacks—as county officials are now learning. 

County Engineer Lee Bjerke says the replacement of Bridge #356 with a boxcar is being temporarily put on hold.  Bjerke told county supervisors Monday that the boxcar would not be heavy enough to hold down the bridge footings in case of ice or heavy snow.  However, replacing Bridge #356 with a concrete slab bridge would cost another $52,000, so the project is being put on hold temporarily while county officials study their alternatives, including funding alternatives.