The bridge over Elk Creek on Jasper County Highway F-62 west of Sully is scheduled to be replaced due to a state law passed in 2022. The law allows permits to be obtained to take overweight loads across county lines on roads designated as farm-to-Market routes. County Engineer Mike Frietsch says that law prompted an evaluation of all the county’s bridges on those roads. 

“Will they be able to handle the increased loading allowed by this permit? Bridge A-11 getting replaced this year, bridge T-06 getting replaced this year, and this bridge getting replaced next year were three of them identified as not being able to meet the new loading requirements by the All Systems Permit.”

In preparation of the bridge replacement, a $12,500 contract for geotechnical exploration of the soil has been approved by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors. It’s with Allender Butzke Engineers of Urbandale, who is to complete the work and provide a report to the county within five weeks.