Bridgeport bridge "imminent" to collapse

Problematic

We’ve got some other problems with that falling. If someone is under it, that would be problematic and if that was to happen during the spring when we’re having rain, it would cause a very large dam on the Skunk River.”

Garry Seyb, Lee County Supervisor Chairman

BRIDGE OUT

The historic Bridgeport Bridge is in "imminent" danger of collapse, according to county officials.

LEE COUNTY – An historic bridge in northwest Lee County is in “imminent danger” of collapsing.
Lee County Engineer Ben Hull told Supervisors Monday he wouldn’t be surprised if he got a call in the middle of the meeting saying the bridge had fallen into the Skunk River. The bridge is located in Bridgeport on 280th Avenue across the river.
He said the conservation departments for both Lee and Des Moines counties had agreed to negotiate with Lee County Supervisors to maintain the bridge for historical purposes.
Lee County agreed to provide assistance in preservation of the bridge. But Hull said when the conservation boards didn’t accept the bridge for maintenance and preservation, supervisors agreed to accept responsibility. He said the county is contractually obligated through the Federal Highway Administration to maintain the bridge. But he said the bridge is not on a road, so they cannot use road funds on the bridge.
“Its collapse is imminent. The south abutment is failing,” Hull said.
He said his research has shown the bridge is fracture critical span meaning if any one element were to fail, it would collapse the bridge “totally and suddenly”.
He said he’s been tempted to send photos to engineering experts to find out how the bridge is actually still intact.
Hull said the problem is that the county is prohibited through agreements from tearing it down.
Supervisor Chuck Holmes asked what would happen if the county allowed the bridge to fall.
“Well, it would make a mess,” Hull said.
Supervisor Garry Seyb said allowing it to fall on its own isn’t a good option.
“We’ve got some other problems with that falling. If someone is under it, that would be problematic and if that was to happen during the spring when we’re having rain, it would cause a very large dam on the Skunk River,” Seyb said.
He said he’s spoken with Tom Broeker, the chairman of the Des Moines County Supervisors, about the issue and the county has also reached out to the Corp of Engineers.
Hull said the county has applied for joint application with Des Moines County for an “emergency action” to tear the bridge down. He said the stone support under the bridge abutments have crumbled.
Hull said the application would go to the Corp of Engineers and multiple departments in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The DNR flood plain officials have weighed in and said they realize the danger of it collapsing. But Hull said the bridge is historical and several other organizations, including the State Historic Preservation Office, could have issues with tearing down the structure, as well as the Federal Highway Administration.
Hull said he was preparing a letter explaining why preservation is not an option. He said the bridge is old and to replicate the south abutment would eliminate the original structure.
“In that case, you wouldn’t have what you set out to save,” he said.
He said permission would also need to be obtained from the DOT Sovereign land because the river is sovereign land in Iowa. The DNR has told him there is work to do around the threat to endangered species in and around the river.
“The longer we wait, the bigger the problems,” he said.
He said taking down the bridge would require a commitment of the Lee County Board of six figures.
Supervisor Matt Pflug asked where the money would come from and Hull said, “that would be up to you.”
Supervisor Tom Schulz said the cost would be a budget buster to the county’s budget for the next fiscal year, which is still being put together.
Hull said folks are worried about mussels and rattlesnakes and possibly a dozen other endangered species in the area, but said sooner rather than later it will fall regardless and cause damage to those environments anyway.
He said the bridge was taken out of service in the 80s and the decisions were made to not tear it down, but nothing has been done to maintain it. The first reports of deterioration were reported in the 60s.
“What has been going on for 60 some years now is not going to be able to keep going on,” he said.
Seyb said action needed to be taken with the river being low, citing cost factors.
“A low river is going to be much cheaper than if something were to happen, God forbid, during flood stage or high water,” he said. “Worst case scenario is river at high tide and rain is scheduled and it drops.”
Holmes asked Hull how long it will take to get the permits in place to remove the bridge. Hull said he thinks with letters going in with emergency action, the permits could come relatively soon.