Kantor Avenue bridge closed indefinitely

Survey important to determine usage of road, bridge

The Hamilton County Supervisors once more had to consider the subject of bridges during their bi-monthly meeting held yesterday.

Hamilton County Engineer, Ryan Weidemann talked about the closure of the Kantor Avenue bridge which spanned the Union Pacific railroad track, located just one mile east of Briggs Woods park.

According to a joint release he read from the Union Pacific and the Hamilton County Engineers office, "…the road was closed to vehicle traffic on May 1, following a report of a large, overweight agricultural vehicle illegally crossing the 3-ton load limit bridge."

The release continued with a conclusion that has forced continued closure of the bridge.

"Following inspections by agents for both the Hamilton County Engineer's office and the Union Pacific Railroad, it has been determined that this 100+ year old bridge can no longer safely carry any vehicle traffic."

With that determination, there is not a quick fix according to Weidemann.

"The cost to repair the bridge using conventional budget methods is prohibitive at this time," said Weidemann. "Funding a project of this size, solely with conventional bridge replacement funds would mean forgoing any other bridge replacements in the county for approximately a decade. With over 100 bridges on our Secondary system, that is not an option."

Weidemann will be looking at the survey that is currently on the Hamilton County, Iowa website, to determine how many are being impacted by the closure.

"Funding will need to be secured from a competitive grant or other sources," he said. "Public input is an important component of competitive grant applications, so we are seeking input regarding the bridge’s past and potential future use."

Weidemann said they have mailed letters to approximately 30 residents and landowners and residents, encouraging their input. The bridge is in the center of four sections, (16, 17, 20 and 21). But they know there are others who may have used that road and bridge.

"It's tough to say how many are being impacted," he said. "Residents and landowners in general who are going to be impacted need to go to the website so we can gauge just how many people it affects and how it affects them."

To get to the website, go to https://www.hamiltoncounty.iowa.gov and look under the News & Announcements for a link to the public input survey.

Also on the agenda during the meeting, the supervisors renewed the Standing Corn Snow Fence Policy. The policy has been in place for the past three years, according to County Engineer, Ryan Weidemann.

To participate in the program, a landowner or tenant may suggest a location, and the engineer's office will research to find out if there is a need for a snow fence in the area. If it is determined there is, a minimum of six to a maximum of 24 rows of corn should be left standing after harvest. The rows should run parallel to the road, and the location will be determined by the engineers office. The corn may be hand picked in the fall, or picked in the early spring. There is a compensation back to the farmer based on the 10 year average corn yield and price.

Those who might be interested in participating with this program, need to contact the Engineers office for complete details.

"We review it to determine if it is beneficial for the county," Weidemann said, "It's kind of a mutually beneficial program. It's more common on hard service roads, but for the right location, where it will really reduce our snow removal efforts, it could be considered for gravel roads."

The Supervisors also signed a proclamation to recognize the month of September as Recovery Awareness month.

Darren Helton-Prevention Supervisor, and Daniel Rogers of the Community and Family Resources office were on hand to remind the supervisors of their services, which provide mental health support and instruction classes serving individuals in the county

Community and Family resources provides integrated and exceptional behavioral health care and prevention services for those seeking help for substance use, mental illness, co-occurring issues or problem gambling.

The agency has been licensed by the State of Iowa as a Substance Use Treatment provider since 1978 and as a Mental Health Service provider since 2011.

Departmental updates included several from the Hamilton County Public Health Administrator Pam Harklau. She indicated that with the measles reported, they are putting together an initiative of free immunizations through the Health Department.

"The Immunization Clinic is Wednesday afternoon, August 26 and then we have a clinic on September 3 and September 23 for back to school," Harklau said, "On the measles MMR initiative, we will be offering free MMR for anyone unsure of their vaccination status. This is for anyone with or without insurance."

Also as part of their healthy homes program, the health department is offering free radon test kits for rural Iowans in addition to free well water tests. To learn more about these opportunities, contact the Hamilton County Public Health office located at 1610 Collins St., Suite 1 or call at 515-832-9565.

Kim Anderson, Hamilton County recorder also reported that when the antlerless deer tags went on sale on August 15, they were sold out by Monday morning for Webster and Hamilton County. There are still other tags available. She also reminds everyone that all ATV (All Terrain Vehicles), ORV (Off Road Vehicles) and snow mobile licenses can be renewed for the remainder of this year and for 2027 after September 1.

Kim Schaa reported that the absentee ballots were mailed out on Friday, and that early voting has begun at the courthouse.

Concerns about the students going back to school prompted both supervisors and the sheriff to caution drivers.

Sheriff Alex Pruismann said that traffic issues have increased, stating that even after only one day there have been problems.

"They have been minor, but there have already been accidents," Pruismann said. "When traffic picks up it changes a lot of things quickly."

He urged everyone to be smart and alert.

"There are a lot of new drivers on the road, so the experienced drivers need to be more aware," he urged.

In other action,

– agreements were renewed for:

Idemia, a service used for fingerprinting,

Calhoun-Bruns and Associates for bridge evaluations,

the Iowa DNR for private well agreement

-tabled the agreement with Clifton, Larson Allen

-changed the banking authorizations for Briggs Woods Conference Center

-appointed Heidi Eckers of Ellsworth to the Midas Council of Government