Bridge replacement discussed by Tama supervisors

Tama County Engineer Lyle Brehm told the Tama County Board of Supervisors this week he was doing a lot preliminary leg work prior to the replacement of the Chambers Bridge near Chelsea.

The Chambers Ford bridge was constructed in 1890 after citizens of Salt Creek Township petitioned the county for a permanent bridge over the Iowa River four miles southeast of Chelsea. Citizens were responsible for procuring a right-of-way for the bridge and building the trestlework on the right-of-way and all approaches to the bridge.

Clinton Bridge and Iron Works of Clinton built the single span, pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge. Only maintenance repairs were required for the first decade, but by the turn of the century the original timber trestle approach constructed by the citizens had deteriorated past repair.

The county inspected the bridge in 1902 and contracted with the George E. King Bridge Company for repair work and erection of a new Lackawanna and Jones and Laughlin span north of the original span. Work began in the fall and winter of 1902-03 and was completed by April 1903.

The pin-connected Pratt through truss was the most popular steel bridge for medium-scale crossings in the state in the late 1800s and was promoted by nearly all state and national bridge companies.

Measuring 345 feet long and 15.1 feet wide, Chambers Ford Bridge stood out among these because of its staged construction, two-span configuration and well preserved physical state, officials said.

Brehm says the bridge will be up for bid and if sold must be removed from the spot it now sets. Brehm thinks be late summer of 2015 they might be ready, but for sure in 2016.

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Bridge replacement discussed by Tama supervisors