Kirby-Flynn Bridge

That might have been the case with the western portal bracing but overall at least half the bridge was repainted; esp. in the areas where some bridge parts needed replacing.

Jason, Am I missing something? In your September, 2010 photos I can see that half of the end post cover plate was painted red, but everything else doesn't look like it was repainted?

Actually Nathan,

According to a couple sources closest to the project and based on my observations, some truss parts (in particular the vertical beams, bolts and pin-connections and even the railings) were either sandblasted or replaced and the entire truss structure was given a really good paint job before it was reopened to traffic in 2010. If you look at the bridge before and after the rehab, you will see the difference. To this day, I'm surprised and amazed that the bridge still exists in Palo Alto Co., for when I was first there in 1998, I had thought that it would have been long gone. For more info, ask fellow pontist Quinn Phelan, who was there a few times and can give you some more details.

JS

Don't get me wrong, this is an outstanding preservation project and the bridge appears ready to provide many more decades of safe, reliable service. However, should this really be described as "Completely rehabilitated?" It does not appear that any substantial work was done to the truss superstructure. Wouldn't it be more accurate to say "Approaches, Substructure, and Deck reconstructed in 2010?"

Quinn,

I have yet to visit the bridge but will definitely do so when I'm over in the summer time. I'm really impressed with what Palo Alto has done with this structure. It looks just like new. If one compares the bridge when I was there in 1998 to the one that is now open, it's a day and night difference. Really impressive and thanks for the photos. :-)

JS

The restored Brushy Bayou (Kirby-Flynn) bridge South of Emmetsburg, IA was dedicated and opened for traffic on April 20. Click twice on the picture and article to enlarge it and read the history of the bridge.

Glad they are restoring it.......but why in the world do they have to put those stupid height restriction bars soooo close to the bridge. The only thing worse is when they tack them on the portals. If they would just back them up enough to allow good photos to be taken.

Well I will be darned! When I visited the bridge in 1998, it was in really bad shape- even dangerous to walk across it as there were some boards missing. I thought that bridge would be removed within a few years. However, since it is the last bridge of its kind in Palo Alto Co., the county did the right thing and preserved this structure for years to come. The county had over 2 dozen through truss bridges after the Des Moines River was rechannelled in 1918-20. This bridge has been the last of its kind since the Brown Bridge was replaced in 1996 because of flood damage.

Kirby-Flynn Bridge?

I saw this article in the Local newspaper - the Emmetsburg Reporter. Through some research, I believe this is the same bridge. According to this article, It was built in the late 1800's and moved in 1919. It appears that someone decided to do the right thing, and restore this bridge. Hats off to Palo Alto County, Iowa!