March 28, 2024

Bridge closure limits access to paved roads in Iowa town

QUARRY — Some residents say the sudden closure of a bridge in the small Iowa community of Quarry has left them with limited access to paved roads.

Marshall County engineer Paul Geilenfeldt said he closed the bridge Feb. 11 because he deemed it unsafe for public use. He said there is no timeline for the bridge’s repair, which is owned by Union Pacific Railroad, of Omaha, Nebraska. Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis said an inspection team will review the bridge Saturday. He said the team is developing a timeline of what needs to be done for its restoration.

But Quarry residents living on the outskirts of town said without access to the bridge, they don’t have many options for travel to and from the city.

Jane Gummert said the closure leaves residents with a low-lying, dirt and gravel road as their only alternative, a path that she said often floods during springtime, cutting the town off entirely. Gideon Ihde said heavy snow also makes the gravel road impassable, and Eleanor Rutledge said a turnoff onto the road is a steep hill that is dangerous when icy.