Historic Linn County Bridge Damaged During Relocation Project

A historic Linn County bridge has been damaged during a relocation project.

As crews were lifting the Bertram “Blue” Bridge off its foundation on Monday, the structure twisted and was damaged in the process.

The 146-year-old Bertram “Blue” Bridge, a registered historic structure, was to be moved to the Indian Creek Nature Center for use on the trail system at the Nature Center. But due to the damage sustained while lifting the bridge, the Linn County Secondary Road Department does not think the structure is salvageable. Engineering contractors will evaluate the bridge structure to make a final determination.

No one was injured during the incident.

“We are disappointed that the Blue Bridge most likely will not be moved and reused at the Nature Center as planned,” said Linn County Assistant Engineer Garret Reddish. “Due to the age of the bridge, it was always a possibility that the structure could be damaged during the lifting and moving process, and that’s what happened.”

The rest of the Bertram Road and bridge replacement project will continue. The project includes removing the existing road, realigning the road for the new bridge, installing new culverts, and replacing the old truss bridge with a new IDOT standard concrete beam bridge. 

Road closures were already in effect around the project. Many of the closures will remain in effect until the entire Bertram Bridge project wraps up in October.

photo courtesy of Linn County