This is the Eby's Mill Road Bridge, located in the northern portion of rural Jones County, northeast of Scotch Grove. My father farms on both sides of the bridge, and it's well-being is essential to his farming operation. County officials closed the bridge in late June, but there seemed to be little action taken to prevent further damage. The erosion seemed to be caused by a large pile of debris in the river close to the western shore. The pile of brush was diverting water to the area under the bridge and water was moving quite swiftly, causing the erosion to occur directly under the bridge's western approach. On Thursday July 17th, County officials inspected the bridge, and we were told that repairs would begin on Monday. On Tuesday July 22, the Jones County Engineer and a crew were at the bridge to start some repairs, but while they were there, it collapsed. It is important to consider that this bridge has been closed for an entire month, and this is a well traveled rural road. Jones County officials have known that there was a problem with this bridge, yet took seemingly little action to prevent it's collapse. A county official has stated that this will be a 1.2 million dollar replacement project.
This photo was taken July 20th, 2008: Only one week before, two of the pilings were only partially exposed. Lots of erosion has taken place in a very small amount of time.
Gallery
Bridge Collapse in Jones County, Iowa.
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says ... on Thursday, Sep 4 at 7:25 AM
thats the way that bridges and roads get fixed down here also, just put up a road closed sign. Seems like they wouldnt need as many county road personel on the payroll if they're not going to actually fix anything.
says ... on Friday, Jul 25 at 7:25 AM
Our tax dollar at work
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