Charley Western Bridge readies for reconstruction

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Charles City is moving along with plans to remove and replace the crumbling Charley Western Trail Bridge, with the latest estimates including a cost around $2 million and a completion date sometime in 2020.

The old railroad bridge that was turned into part of a recreational trail started to collapse last summer. Further inspection made it clear that the 108-year-old bridge needed to be demolished — and replaced.

“It is a vital connection,” said Charles City Administrator Steve Diers.

The bridge — which was deemed to be of historic significance last summer — will be torn out this summer. The plan to replace the bridge has a current estimated cost of $2 million, according to Diers, and should be completed in the summer of 2020.

“The bridge that we lost was a neat piece of architecture,” said Diers. “It’s served its useful life.”

Since the bridge which connected the extensive trail system in Charles City has been closed, trail usage is down, according to Diers.

The city looked at a couple of different styles in replacing the old bridge and came up with an affordable option that would use a pre-stressed concrete bridge, which is 10-feet wide and 390-feet long. Not only will the new bridge be suited for recreational use, but can also be used in case of emergencies.

“That’s kind of our high crossing point in town, so we can take larger pieces of equipment over that bridge — vehicles and trucks and what not — if we have to,” said Diers.

From a safety and aesthetics standpoint, Diers and the city also found a need for more lighting on the bridge once it is complete.

“The ambience of it is really something that we really want to recapture with the new bridge,” said Diers.

City planners are also aware of the wood turtle habitat that has been identified in the area and efforts are being made to make sure those animals are not endangered, he said.

Engineering and geotechnical work will begin near the old bridge soon. That includes surveying and mapping of the area to go along with demolition. That work will be done by Calhoun-Burns and Associates and has an estimated cost of $71,400.

The City Council has on its agenda approving the engineering agreement Monday night.

The city has already acquired $249,000 in TAP (Transportation Alternative Program) funding, and Diers expects more could be added to that total soon.

NIACOG (North Iowa Area Council of Governments) has been contracted to seek additional money in grants through the State Rec Trail, Federal Rec Trail, and REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) programs. Application for the state grant is due in July, the REAP in August and the federal in September.

City funds can also be used through the road use tax or hotel/motel funds. Diers sees local donations helping out with the cost as well.

“We have gotten some dedicated sources from the Floyd County Snowmobile Association. They’ve acquired $35,000 in grant funding to put toward the project,” Diers said. “Every bit is gonna help. We want to have to borrow as little as possible to do the bridge.”