Bronson, Iowa (RI) — The Woodbury County engineer says a bridge near Bronson that was destroyed by a runaway grass fire last Saturday may take a year to replace.
Engineer Laura Sievers says the wood underpinnings of the bridge were badly burned, and the steel was warped. The county already has 36 bridges on the list to be repaired, but she told the county supervisors they should consider putting it at the top of the list.
Sievers says they should consider replacement instead of trying to repair the burned portions.
Sievers says it would cost around $375,000 to repair the 39‑foot‑by‑24‑foot bridge, and she suggests increasing the size of the new bridge to 50‑by‑30 feet. If the county supervisors approved the recommendation to replace the bridge, Sievers says it could be replaced sometime in the 2027 construction season.
At least two homes were also destroyed by the fire.
KIWA Staff Photo
