Supervisors hear update on Black Hawk Bridge matters, approve appointment to Historic Preservation Commission and revised set of plans for planned Patterson Creek Bridge replacement project
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, September 29 to address a short agenda of matters including the consideration of an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission, consideration of a request to use a room within the County Courthouse for a community meeting, and the consideration of a revised set of plans for the Patterson Creek Bridge replacement project. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.
During Public Comment, Gene Herman with the Upper Iowa Drainage District Board made note of some questions for the Supervisors relating to the bonding associated with the Upper Iowa Drainage District Board. Herman questioned if maintenance from the county would be possible for a service road and river access which he advised is not passable during wet conditions.
Byrnes discussed follow-up relating to Herman’s question about the Upper Iowa Drainage District’s bonding, with that question to be relayed to County Attorney Anthony Gericke or addressed by County Auditor Denise Beyer. Byrnes advised that Public Comment does not allow for discussion with the Supervisors, but Herman may choose to speak with the Supervisors individually or County Engineer Brian Ridenour following Monday’s meeting relating to his concerns about the service road near the Upper Iowa River.
With time remaining for Public Comment, Supervisor Tom Clark provided an update relating to the decommissioning of the Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing and the bridge replacement project, based on information he has gathered at meetings he has attended or has confirmed with authorities involved in the project. Clark advised that the cooperative effort between Iowa and Wisconsin is ongoing with involvement from Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s Second Congressional District, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and the directors of the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT), among others involved in overseeing a variety of aspects necessary from a permitting, logistics and regulatory perspective.
Clark reported that steel sections of the replacement bridge have started to arrive with the marina upgrade construction work underway. He noted that the Black Hawk Bridge demolition process will involve the center portion of the bridge being dropped into the water with this activity not anticipated to impact the ferry service between Iowa and Wisconsin.
Relating to the car ferry, Clark shared that two companies have shown interest in bidding on providing that service during the replacement bridge construction. Clark advised that Lansing is planning a Black Hawk Bridge Memorial Day Farewell Celebration to be held Saturday, October 11, with October 15 still the anticipated bridge closure date, although many involved are hopeful the closure may be delayed, allowing the Cassville car ferry to be in place prior to that closure.
The meeting moved into the consideration of an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission. Beyer noted that an application has been received for the appointment of John Bauercamper to a term ending December 2026. Following discussion, the appointment of Bauercamper was approved.
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