JOHNSON COUNTY - A few bridges in Johnson County remain closed because engineers do not know if they are safe. Two of the more heavily traveled bridges are Highway 965 north of North Liberty and the Park Road Bridge in Iowa City. Park Road Bridge is on a waiting list of sorts to get examined. The City Engineer hopes it will get done early next week. The same team that will check out the safety of Park Road is currently checking out the bridge on Highway 965.

A dive team from Wisconsin got into the water mid-afternoon. They spent the next several hours on and under the water investigating the Highway 965 bridge. Tim McDermott of VJ Engineering said, "They're just going to go down and inspect to make sure no concrete is washed away or steel is exposed."

Engineers say higher water levels add pressure to the bridge supports and can wash away the cement. And the water is so dirty it can eat away at the metal. McDermott said, "Any kind of surface run-off or de-icing chemicals put on the bridge, who knows what is in the river."

No one is allowed to drive on the 965 bridge until engineers know it is safe. That means more headaches for many people. Johnson County Assistant Engineer Ed Bartels said, "Without this 100 yards you're not getting anywhere on 965."

But Johnson County hopes to know whether the bridge can be opened again within a week. The dive team also hopes to check out the Mehaffey Bridge which is open. The county needs a routine check on the bridge.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com