City plans to remove two bridges from West Blackhawk
The accessible culverts on the two bridges slated for removal on St. Feriole Island. Both are positioned on West Blackhawk Avenue between Fourth Street and Villa Louis Road. Pictured are the south side of both bridges, which are still exposed, while the north side of the bridges are filled in. Both bridges have been rated as unsatisfactory for several years. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
The city of Prairie du Chien Public Works Superintendent Nick Gilberts appeared before the common council at their May 6 meeting to discuss the removal of two bridges from St. Feriole Island.
“This is something that has been on our radar for a while, but now it’s to the point that we have to do something,” Gilberts told the Courier Press.
The two bridges are located on West Blackhawk Avenue on St. Feriole Island between Fourth Street and Villa Louis Road. Gilberts said the bridges were filled on the north side of the road during the early 2000s, when Blackhawk Avenue was redone. They remain open on the south side.
The bridge structures are remnants of when the road served as a thoroughfare to Iowa many years ago.
“The structures still remain there,” Gilberts said, “so they have to be inspected every two years by the Department of Transportation.”
City Administrator Chad Abram confirmed that the ratings for the two bridges have come back unsatisfactory for the past two decades.
“We’ve recently been told that if we don’t remove the structures, they [the DOT] could shut down Blackhawk Avenue in that area,” Gilberts told the council.
City representatives met with the Crawford County Highway Department to discuss a joint project to remove the bridges. Gilberts said removing the structures was the most cost-effective and permanent solution.
According to Gilberts, the county will bring in an excavator to remove the bridge deck and assist with hauling the material away. City workers will then fill the area with gravel and apply blacktop.
The project will require work on the curb, gutter and sidewalks in those areas as well.
“The sidewalk is on top of the bridge structure, and we have to remove the entire structure for it to be off the list of inspections,” said Gilberts.
The estimated cost is approximately $8,500, and the start date is expected to be in early summer.
Gilberts clarified that the project would not interfere with the Rendezvous event that takes place on St. Feriole Island. He expects blacktop work to be completed in the fall.
According to a memo from Nick Gilberts to the Public Works Committee on May 1, the cost will be taken from reimbursement the city received from a Local Roads Improvement Program grant in 2021.
The council approved entering into an agreement with the Crawford County Highway Department to remove the two bridges.
Gilberts updated the council on other public works projects:
• A work crew is working on the trim for the Rock School windows.
• The first round of street sweeping has been completed, and a second round will be commencing soon to prevent pollen and seeds from entering the sewer system.
• The city is trying a different kind of paint for the arrows on the roundabouts this year. “We haven’t had much luck with the stuff that we had, so we’re going to try a new paint. Hopefully, it will hold up.”
• The majority of the projects this year will be completing crack filling on streets in the city and patching asphalt. “We’ve got quite a bit to do on that, and we’re going to try and get caught up with it.”
• The swimming pool restrooms are open for people using the Fort Fun Park this year. Nick Gilberts confirmed that the rest of the pool facility is inaccessible. Opening the bathrooms is in response to the survey about Fort Fun, which indicated that people wanted available facilities.
In attendance were alderpersons Nick Crary, Vicki Waller, Bob Granzow, Nate Bremmer, Riebe, Mark Bowar, Kayla Ingham and Andy Ringgold. Also present were Mayor David Hemmer, Abram, Utilities Director Larry Gates, City Planner Nate Gilberts and Nick Gilberts.
The next council meeting will take place on May 20 at 7 p.m.
Other business
• A public information hearing for the city’s 20-year comprehensive plan is scheduled for May 20.
