Work to remove damaged railroad bridge north of Gifford set to begin, trail group tells supervisors
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Summary
Iowa River’s Edge Trail officials told Hardin County supervisors Boulder Construction will begin demolishing the old railroad bridge (Bridge No. 18) north of Gifford; planned work is time-limited by habitat protections and funded with ARPA, state trail grants and local donations.
The Hardin County Board of Supervisors heard an update Feb. 11 from Iowa River’s Edge Trail officials that demolition of an old railroad bridge (Bridge No. 18) north of Gifford is expected to begin soon, clearing the way for a replacement bridge and continuation of a multi-year trail corridor project.
Mona Verlee Keira, identified in the meeting as president of the Iowa River’s Edge Trail, said Boulder Construction has been selected for the demolition and has filed a 10-day notice ahead of work. “We call that bridge number 18,” Keira said, and described an urgent need to remove the structure after channel diversion and debris caused erosion and damage to adjacent private property.
Project partners cited Snyder Associates of Des Moines as the engineering firm on the bridge design; officials presented a preferred clear-span bridge with viewing areas, benches and lighting. Funding sources for the immediate demolition and the broader corridor work include ARPA funds, a state Recreational Trails grant, a Transportation Alternatives set-aside grant, a Hardin County Endowment Fund grant to support a hydraulic study, and private donations.
Keira and other speakers projected the full corridor connection between Eldora and Union could take roughly four to five years depending on permitting and construction schedules. They also emphasized a seasonal environmental restriction: contractors cannot work after April 1 in certain in-stream habitat areas, so the demolition contractor said it is confident it can complete removal before that date, with equipment access from the south side of the river.
Board members asked about trail width and emergency access; speakers said the multi-use trail will be at least 10 feet wide to accommodate non-motorized users and provide emergency-vehicle access only when necessary. The group thanked supervisors and county staff for support and noted continued fundraising and coordination with Marshalltown to connect the corridor.
The board did not take formal action on the project during the meeting; the update served as an informational briefing and a request for continued coordination as demolition proceeds.