It's always money and risk as far as I've been able to ascertain. Oh, and old white male supervisors that make those budgetary decisions. This bridge isn't far from the disaster at the bowstring. Gravel companies and big ag drive the bus up there. 400 crossings in that county.
Yes, it certainly should be left standing as the last inspection report gives no indication that it will collapse anytime in the near future. But beyond that the ADT count on this bridge is ridiculously low, and the small area it serves appears to be as much forest as agriculture. This bridge has served that area for 114 years and I see no reason it couldn't have be rehabbed for continued use.
His comment about ignorance was referring to the county's desire to remove the bridge instead of leaving it as-is for pedestrian usage.
Not ignorance really. Too many bridges with ag traffic. Small county budgets. How would you make those decisions Tony? They know what they have, or had. Saved a few I guess but are there solutions you could share for the county engineers?
A new bridge has been built on new alignment and while the bridge is still standing it sounds like they plan demolition eventually. https://www.decorahnews.com/news-stories/2020/10/26607.html
It was the supervisors in this case.
The article has been archived but I wrote an update on this bridge: http://thebridgehunter.areavoices.com/2017/06/06/chimney-roc...
Probably one of the best saves Bjerke has made in his career sofar.
Repair vs. replacement recommended!!:
Continental Bridge Co. from Alexandria Mn. didn't exist until some time in the 1980's. Prior to this a Continental Bridge Co. existed in Peotone Illinois with it's headquarters in Chicago. This was from 1903 - 1948. The assets of the company were bought by Bennett Industries who continued bridge and structural work until 1977.
This bridge is also locally known as Snell's bridge as the old stone house to the east of it was built by the Snell family in the late 1860's-early 1870's. The attached pictures were taken 11/1/2020 and 11/4/2020.