According to Doug Miller, Kossuth County Engineer, the hearings will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 10:30 a.m. during the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Last October, Richard Schiek, former Kossuth County Engineer, Doug Couch and Doug Miller discussed with the board of supervisors a number of fracture critical bridges in Kossuth County.
Couch lead the discussion, pointing out numerous design flaws that could lead to a bridge possibly failing without any action taken in the near future.
The high truss bridge built in 1895 just north of St. Joseph, which crosses the east fork of the Upper Des Moines River and provides access to Spring Valley Golf Course was one of the bridges discussed and one scheduled to be closed, following the public hearing.
The bridge receives 35 vehicles using it in a day, but structurally shouldn't be able to support any vehicle over 3.5 tons in weight.
"Any full-size truck should really not be driving on this bridge," Couch explained.
Additionally Couch pointed out that only two trucks the engineering department drove could possibly make it across the bridge, and any full size truck hauling any load was adding stress to a bridge whose safety to traverse was unknown.
"We've posted signs about load limits on many of these bridges, but most people don't read them or just don't care," Schiek said.
A hearing to close the St. Joseph pony truss bridge was held a few years ago, and the only reason it wasn't closed was to provide access for a person with ailing health to have an ambulance have a road to get to her. Since she has relocated to Algona, the supervisors don't see the need to keep the bridge open any longer.
The second bridge to be closed is a pony truss bridge southwest of Titonka, between Buffalo and Portland Townships.
"We probably won't be tearing down these bridges, but closing them to further public use," explained Miller.
According to Miller, the bridge southwest of Titonka is on a gravel road that receives minimal maintenance and hasn't seen a lot of traffic in quite some time.
"Adjacent landowners will still have access to use the road to get to their property," said Miller.
Access to Spring Valley will require driving a mile section detour to get to the golf course.
The August 25 hearing will be open to the public to discuss any complaints or questions they have about the bridges being closed.
|
|
feeds