Crews removed this large beam on Friday so that they could repair and replace parts of the damaged bridge.
/ KTVO's Greg Deffenbaugh
OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Construction crews have been hard at work, repairing and replacing parts of the Eisenhower Pedestrian Bridge that was damaged last year by a semi transporting a wind turbine.
Just this past week, the deck of the bridge was removed from over U.S. 63/149. Students from Eisenhower Elementary School use the bridge to cross the busy highway during the school year; and with the new term beginning this week, getting this project completed was a top priority for the city.
“Crews have removed a major steel beam off of that bridge and they are going to be repairing that before they replace it, as we go along. So, once we get done, we should have a very nice new bridge, of course with the steelwork repaired, new deck and replacement of the fencing as well,” said Tom Rodgers, Public Information Officer for the City of Ottumwa.
The cost of repairing the bridge is $160,000, which the city has had to pay up-front due to the fact that they are in litigation with those responsible for damaging the structure.
Previous articles on this topic:
Damaged bridge finally to get repaired
Eisenhower Pedestrian Bridge to be repaired by next fall
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