Flood damage to roads and bridges unveiled as waters recede
AMES, Iowa - July 27, 2010 – 1:30 p.m. update – Flooding continues to impact city and township streets, and county and state roadways in Iowa as the waters make their way downstream, according to Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials. Where waters are receding, damage to the state’s transportation infrastructure is being unveiled. The Iowa DOT has requested Emergency Relief funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to assist in making repairs.
Damage reports
Descriptions of damage to some of the state’s roads and bridges are reported under the “Roadways currently closed or restricted” section below. As photos of damage are made available, they will be posted at: http://www.iowadot.gov/floods/2010floodgallery01.html.
The Iowa DOT has received information that the Corbett’s Mill Bridge, located three miles northeast of Scotch Grove in Jones County, collapsed into the Maquoketa River Saturday morning.
The historically significant, bowstring through arch-truss bridge was manufactured in 1871 by Miller, Jamison & Co. Bowstring arch-truss bridges were the second generation of bridges built in Iowa, replacing the original wooden bridges built by early settlers. They were well-regarded for their graceful, economical design, in which the steel spans that hold up the decking are supported by steel rods suspended from steel arches. They were the iron span choice for Iowa counties in the late 1860s and 1870s.
The Corbett’s Mill Bridge once carried public traffic, but was most recently privately owned. The location of where the dislodged bridge has settled in the Maquoketa River is unknown at this time because of the high waters. Jones County officials remain hopeful that the Corbett’s Mill Bridge or portions of it have not washed into or damaged the new Eby’s Mill Bridge located downstream. The Eby’s Mill Bridge was replaced by Jones County after it was washed out in the June 2008 floods.
For additional information about the Corbett’s Mill Bridge and other historic bridges in Iowa, visit: http://www.iowadot.gov/historicbridges/default.asp
Emergency Relief funding
Iowa has experienced severe damage to its roadway systems as a result of the flooding this summer. The Iowa DOT has now requested FHWA Emergency Relief funding for counties covered by the governor’s May 12 and June 1 disaster proclamations. Damage estimates received thus far exceed the $700,000 per event threshold required under the federal program.
Cities and counties included in the June 24, July 18 and July 23 proclamations may be eligible for emergency relief funding, if estimated damage costs exceed the statewide threshold for these events. Iowa DOT staff will be assisting the affected counties and cities prepare and collect detailed damage inspection reports for each damaged site.
Flood warnings in effect
National Weather Service flood warnings remain in effect in Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buena Vista, Butler, Cedar, Clay, Clinton, Dallas, Des Moines, Dickinson, Fremont, Greene, Hamilton, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Muscatine, Plymouth, Polk, Scott, Sioux, Van Buren, Wapello and Webster counties.
Iowans are urged to continue to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered roadway. When encountering a flooded area, turn around and find an alternative route. Turn around – don’t drown.
For weather and other emergency information, stay tuned to NOAA weather radio or your local radio and TV stations.
Roadways reopened since last notice
- None
Roadways currently closed or restricted
- UPDATED INFORMATION: U.S. 61/River Drive in Scott County between Iowa 22 and U.S. 6 near Davenport (The road is closed because it is being used as a staging area for flood preparation work. River Drive is closed from Rockingham Road in the west to Federal Street in the east. Several detour routes have been established for travel into and through downtown Davenport, and to access the Government Bridge.)
- U.S. 61/U.S. 136 in Lee County at the Iowa/Missouri state line (Traffic normally going across the Des Moines River bridge near Keokuk, Iowa, is being directed to the Des Moines River bridge at St. Francisville, Mo. Detour signs are in place.)
- Iowa 2 in Fremont County, the right lane of eastbound Iowa 2 is closed between the Nebraska state line and Interstate 29
- Iowa 5 between 600th and 610th streets in Appanoose County near Exline, approximately 1.3 miles north of the Missouri state line (Major damage to the bridge at this location occurred during flooding last week. The road is expected to be closed for three months or more while bridge repair work is performed.)
- UPDATED INFORMATION: Iowa 38 in Jones County is restricted to one lane between Locust and North streets in Olin due to water over the road. (This roadway is partially flooded as a result of the breach of the levee on the north side of Olin, which is surrounded on three sides by the Wapsipinicon River.)
- Iowa 136 between Jones County Road E-17 and Richland Road, north of Onslow (This roadway remains closed due to extensive damage. A section of the roadway approximately 200 feet long was undermined by the flood waters. A detour will remain in place until repairs are made.)
For current updates on road conditions - 24 hours a day, visit www.511ia.org or call 511.
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