Charles City Main Street Bridge Is On “The List”

Flooding of the Cedar River in Summer 2024 raised questions about the structural integrity of the aging Main Street Bridge in Charles City. 

Multiple inspections since then determined the bridge, over 115-years-old, needs to be rehabilitated or replaced entirely.

Last month, the City Council approved a structural engineer’s study that showed rehabbing the bridge would cost about $14 million, with a yearly cost of $463,000 and would last 35 years. A new bridge would cost about $12.5 million, with about $220,000 in yearly costs and would last 65 years. 

Approval of the report does not commit the City in either direction.

During Monday (11.17) night’s City Council meeting, interim City Administrator Dan Gifford said the City is now on record with the Iowa DOT they’d like to receive state funding for whichever route they take.

Gifford said getting on “the list” also helps the City get started banking bridge funds.

City officials held a public forum last week to gain more input on the bridge from constituents on rehabbing or replacing the bridge. A decision on which route to take could still be a few months away.