Federal aid acquired for bridge replacement on F-62 over Elk Creek

Jasper County entered into a federal aid agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation to replace a bridge located on Highway F-62 over Elk Creek.

The board of supervisors approved the agreement in a 3-0 vote during the March 4 meeting at the courthouse. County Engineer Michael Frietsch said the bridge — classified as Bridge S07 — cannot support the loads from the all systems permit and needs replaced. The total estimated costs of the bridge is $2 million.

“It will be a concrete beam bridge similar in size to the C08 bridge we did last year and the A11 bridge we’re doing this year, so about a 200-foot span in total thereabouts,” Frietsch said. “That’s where we’re at. It will be $1.6 million in funding from our Highway Bridge Program … and $400,000 in SWAP funds.”

The project is likely going to be let in November or December, or possibly January 2026. Frietsch said the bridge will be constructed next year.

In 2023, the county engineer said a number of bridges located along paved farm-to-market routes would have to be replaced. Bridge S07 was included among those structures. Bridge A11, located on F-17 in the northeast corner of the county, is a similarly styled bridge that is being replaced this year.