City signs bridge inspection contract

June 21--OTTUMWA -- Iowa bridges are a point of concern statewide, but the city is taking steps to comply with requirements to keep them safe.

In 2016, Iowa moved ahead of Pennsylvania in the American Road & Transportation Builders Association report on deficient bridges. It kept that spot in 2017.

Deficient bridges don't necessarily mean unsafe. Bridges can be deficient but structurally sound, especially when they are found deficient because of new safety regulations that weren't in place when the bridge was built.

The Iowa Department of Transportation requires bridges be inspected every other year. Public Works Director Larry Seals said the city's contract with Calhoun-Burns and Associates, Inc., is "part of the biennial bridge inspection program."

Inspections help monitor the conditions of the city's bridges. Like any infrastructure, bridges wear and weather over time. Knowing a bridge's condition and tracking it over time can identify potential problems and give plenty of time to make repairs before safety is compromised.

Inspections also address two other concerns focused on bridges with known issues. First, bridges that have weight restrictions may need to have those restrictions adjusted. Second, damage that was not serious when one inspection took place may have progressed, requiring a new assessment.

Ottumwa has more bridges than people might realize. Nineteen bridges fall under the state's inspection requirements. Three are pedestrian bridges. The majority, 12 of the 19 spans, are smaller bridges. Seals said Ottumwa has four main bridges for traffic.

Those four bridges will cost the most to inspect.

"For the four main bridges it will be $16,250," he said. "For the 12 smaller bridges it will be $4,750."

Compliance with another set of state regulations led the city council to approve changes to how some cemetery funds are handled.

"The purpose of this ordinance amendment is to be in compliance with regulations of the Iowa Insurance Division regarding a perpetual maintenance trust for interment spaces in Ottumwa, Calvary and Ottumwa Jewish Cemeteries," said Parks Director Gene Rathje, whose department also oversees the cemeteries.

Under the changes Ottumwa must retain 20 percent of the gross selling price of lots or $50, whichever is greater, solely for maintenance of the cemeteries. The revenues are placed in a fund, and the principal in the fund cannot be used.

Both the changes to the cemetery maintenance funding and the bridge inspection contract passed on unanimous votes.

___

(c)2017 the Ottumwa Courier (Ottumwa, Iowa)

Visit the Ottumwa Courier (Ottumwa, Iowa) at www.ottumwacourier.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.