The Iowa Department of Transportation is showing off a first-of-its-kind bridge project in Hardin County with an open house Sunday.
D-O-T Field Supervisor Bob Rye says a “launching” technique is being used to build the bridge over the Iowa River north of Steamboat Rock.
The technique involves building the bridge in sections on land that’re then pushed out over the bridge piers. Rye says it lets them keep heavy equipment away from the banks and riverbed — which is in an important greenbelt area.
Rye says it’s the first time this bridge building technique has been used in the United States. He says they launch bridge sections that’re 90 feet long, 12 feet high and weigh 90-thousand pounds.
They’re halfway through the launching and should be able to start pouring concrete by spring. He says the bridge should be ready for traffic by the fall of 2002. You can get a look at the project Sunday between 1 and 3 p-m at the site on relocated Highway 20 in Hardin County.
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