$1.6 million for a new bridge in Bluffton

The Bluffton Bridge has been closed to traffic for around two years now. County officials are working on replacing the bridge, but the project could be somewhat of a financial burden.
Winneshiek County Engineer Lee Bjerke has prepared a cost estimate of $1.6 million to replace the bridge, although he hopes actual bids might come in lower. Bjerke says there's a "small window" of space in which to put a new bridge, since there's a house and campground to avoid, some archeological finds that can't be disturbed and a canoe landing that also must fit into the space.

The federal government would pay 80 percent of the cost of a new bridge. However, the feds would reimburse the county for the money they spend—meaning the county would first have to pay the $1.6 million and then wait for the federal government to reimburse $1.3 million.

Bjerke says bids on the new bridge will be received in May. At that point county officials will have to decide whether they want to proceed with the project or if the project is too expensive. If the bridge project gets county approval, construction of a new bridge could be completed by winter—assuming it's not an early winter.