Kings Highway bridge closure means longer drives
Completion of a planned replacement is more than a year away.
By Lynn Zerschling, Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, August 28, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- The Kings Highway Bridge in Country Club has died of old age and will close for good Tuesday.
For people who use that bridge, which connects Kings Highway from Hamilton Boulevard on the east to Perry Way on the west side of Perry Creek, the bridge's closure will mean longer drives.
"There's a lot of traffic over that bridge," Donna Sweet, of 221 Kings Highway, said Wednesday. "Everyone in this area uses that bridge to get up to North High School, North Middle or Clark (grade school)."
James Haigh, of 220 Kings Highway, said he and other neighbors drive over the bridge to reach Hamilton Boulevard. He takes the bridge near his house for a faster route to a store on Floyd Boulevard.
The city's decision, Haigh asserted, "makes getting over there next to impossible."
Public Works Director Chris Payer said motorists on the west side of the bridge will need to drive south on Country Club Boulevard and take the 38th Street bridge, near Casey's General Store. They can also take Country Club Boulevard around the former Hoover Middle School to reach Hamilton Boulevard at 36th Street.
Despite past repairs on the Kings Highway structure, which was built in 1935, Payer said engineers are concerned the bridge will fail. Repairs were done in 1963, 1980, 1981, 1991 and again in 2004. A recent six-month inspection revealed more rust and deterioration.
"It's evident it's reached the end of its life. We can't tell for sure when it would fail," Payer said. "The city will maintain a pedestrian crossing along the north side of the bridge."
Because the narrow bridge has had structural problems, the city posted a 3-ton load limit.
"I just watched a 20-ton city truck drive over the bridge today," Haigh, a professional engineer, said. "Something that weighs 3 tons is basically one car. ... All the planks are loose. It's like hearing a 2,000-pound sledge hammer. It's boom ba-boom ba-boom. It's been unstable for some time."
The city plans to replace the bridge at the same location. However, construction won't start on its replacement until next spring. Last January, Payer said, the bridge project was delayed when state officials told the city to conduct an environmental assessment.
"It's more involved than what we have to do for replacement of bridges normally. We have to evaluate the archeological and historic factors. We have to look at impacts to the local area as far as noise and wildlife is concerned and look at environmental considerations."
That report should be completed by the end of September. Still under review is a historical evaluation of three houses the city will need to acquire to build a larger bridge in order to meet state bridge-building standards..
Sweet said the city will need to buy her home of 29 years. Last summer she and her husband found a house they wanted to buy but were told the city couldn't negotiate with them yet.
"To say we're frustrated is an understatement," she said. "It's caused so many sleepless nights."
Payer explained the city cannot negotiate with homeowners until after the environmental study has been accepted.
If construction can begin next spring, Payer said, the new bridge should open by late fall 2009.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net.
For people who use that bridge, which connects Kings Highway from Hamilton Boulevard on the east to Perry Way on the west side of Perry Creek, the bridge's closure will mean longer drives.
"There's a lot of traffic over that bridge," Donna Sweet, of 221 Kings Highway, said Wednesday. "Everyone in this area uses that bridge to get up to North High School, North Middle or Clark (grade school)."
James Haigh, of 220 Kings Highway, said he and other neighbors drive over the bridge to reach Hamilton Boulevard. He takes the bridge near his house for a faster route to a store on Floyd Boulevard.
The city's decision, Haigh asserted, "makes getting over there next to impossible."
Public Works Director Chris Payer said motorists on the west side of the bridge will need to drive south on Country Club Boulevard and take the 38th Street bridge, near Casey's General Store. They can also take Country Club Boulevard around the former Hoover Middle School to reach Hamilton Boulevard at 36th Street.
Despite past repairs on the Kings Highway structure, which was built in 1935, Payer said engineers are concerned the bridge will fail. Repairs were done in 1963, 1980, 1981, 1991 and again in 2004. A recent six-month inspection revealed more rust and deterioration.
"It's evident it's reached the end of its life. We can't tell for sure when it would fail," Payer said. "The city will maintain a pedestrian crossing along the north side of the bridge."
Because the narrow bridge has had structural problems, the city posted a 3-ton load limit.
"I just watched a 20-ton city truck drive over the bridge today," Haigh, a professional engineer, said. "Something that weighs 3 tons is basically one car. ... All the planks are loose. It's like hearing a 2,000-pound sledge hammer. It's boom ba-boom ba-boom. It's been unstable for some time."
The city plans to replace the bridge at the same location. However, construction won't start on its replacement until next spring. Last January, Payer said, the bridge project was delayed when state officials told the city to conduct an environmental assessment.
"It's more involved than what we have to do for replacement of bridges normally. We have to evaluate the archeological and historic factors. We have to look at impacts to the local area as far as noise and wildlife is concerned and look at environmental considerations."
That report should be completed by the end of September. Still under review is a historical evaluation of three houses the city will need to acquire to build a larger bridge in order to meet state bridge-building standards..
Sweet said the city will need to buy her home of 29 years. Last summer she and her husband found a house they wanted to buy but were told the city couldn't negotiate with them yet.
"To say we're frustrated is an understatement," she said. "It's caused so many sleepless nights."
Payer explained the city cannot negotiate with homeowners until after the environmental study has been accepted.
If construction can begin next spring, Payer said, the new bridge should open by late fall 2009.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net.
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James A. Haigh wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:12 PM:
Those opposed to extending 46th street came mostly from Hamilton Blvd who objected to an adequate Northwest traffic connection from the end of $$OuterDrive.
The NOTICE stated HEARING; 4 pm, Council Chambers; on whether extend 46th from Hamilton to Perry Way OR go all the way to Country Club!
1) There was no mention of it being part of the regular agenda. 2) It was heard at ~7pm not 4pm and 3); NO OPTION TO RELOCATE THE BRIDGE 50 FURTHER NORTH WAS ADVERSTIZED. Thats 3 violation of the Open Meeting Law that NO ONE thinks are a problem? The city attorney ignored my notice of violation.
Special interest government wont change unless voters do something about it.
What do YOU plan to do about violations of Open Meeting Law? "
i like tacos too wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:08 PM:
Jiames A. Haigh. P.E. wrote on Aug 29, 2008 3:21 PM:
A more accurate quotation would be:
"Lack of an exit from the northerly end of Country Club Blvd is poor planning, a public safety and health hazard and the main method people in that area use to get to schools and shopping on or off Outer Drive.
Its poor governance to waste millions of dollars to extend Outer Drive: Then more millions to relocate railroads to further extend an Outer Drive that goes nowhere.
The councils disregard of the Planning & Zone Board recommendation to extend 46th street to Country Club Blvd. was not only a violation of the Open Meeting Law; it was poor governance and something that makes millions of dollars spent on Outer Drive wasted.
In answer to Tim H: I wont ever have children attending Sioux City Schools; yet I pay taxes to support those schools. Im retired and dont have a problem getting anywhere and would prefer a closed bridge from a personal perspective but understand the needs of others. "
Tim H wrote on Aug 28, 2008 1:58 PM:
Wow... next to impossible... really? I guess James thinks there is only one route to get anywhere so I guess James should just stay home until the new bridge is built.
I still say this is a bridge of convenience and shouldn't be paid for by tax payers but instead be 100% funded by the property owners in that area if they REALLY think they have to have that bridge.
Sure it's a hassle to have to drive south to 38th street to head north on Hamilton but you can adapt... just like I had to adapt my routes when they PERMANENTLY closed/took out the 26th & Geneva street bridge. "
tacos wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:25 AM: