It was a year ago Monday (06.23) that the Main Street Bridge in Charles City had to be closed due to flooding.
The bridge was shut down the night of June 23, 2024, amid concerns that its structural integrity may have been compromised after huge trees and other debris in the swollen Cedar River slammed into the 115-year-old structure. The bridge would remain closed until it could be inspected. When it re-opened two weeks later, a 28-ton weight limit on the bridge was imposed and remains in effect.
The bridge has been inspected two more times since, including a scuba team that looked at the underwater foundation of the bridge last fall; with an inspection this past spring taking a closer look at the facade of the bridge.
Outgoing City Administrator Steve Diers says the City expects to know more about the fate of the bridge yet this summer.
The City could also be restricted in how they replace the bridge.
Further challenging any replacement plans: the Main Street bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.
