A bridge in Keokuk County is among 67 bridges and culverts set to receive federal funding for replacement under a pair of grants totaling more than $64 million awarded to Iowa through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Competitive Highway Bridge Program.
The Keokuk County bridge slated for replacement is located in the southeastern portion of the county, north of Ollie, and is currently rated in poor condition. The funding will go toward rebuilding the structure to meet current safety and load standards, improving connectivity for residents, farmers, and freight traffic in the area.
The money flows from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will be distributed through two separate awards. The first, called Better Bridges Brighter Opportunity, is a $34,690,656 grant that will fund the replacement of 33 bridges across 13 project bundles, covering two state-owned bridges, 28 county-owned bridges, and three city-owned bridges. The second, called Bridges to Prosperity, is a $30,309,344 grant covering 34 bridges across 14 project bundles, including three state-owned, 27 county-owned, and four city-owned structures. Combined, the two awards will fund 67 projects in more than 40 counties statewide. Federal funds are expected to cover approximately 80 percent of replacement costs, with the remaining portion coming from state and local sources.
Prior to the funding announcement, Keokuk County participated in a public engagement effort as part of the application process, circulating a brief survey. The Iowa Department of Transportation, along with Keokuk County and more than 20 other counties and cities, used that public input to help support their application for the Competitive Highway Bridge Program funding.
The need for bridge investment in Iowa is significant. The state ranks first in the nation for the number of bridges in poor condition, with roughly 19 percent of Iowa’s bridges classified as structurally deficient, according to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. The 2024 Iowa Bridge Report confirmed Iowa has the highest number of bridges classified as poor in the country, making programs like the Competitive Highway Bridge Program critical for rural communities across the state.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, who supported the bipartisan infrastructure law that created the bridge program, welcomed the announcement in a press release. “Iowa’s bridges drive our state’s economy, connecting our farm and manufacturing products with national and international markets,” Grassley said. “Unfortunately, Iowa leads the nation in bridges needing repair. I voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law to turn that around. I’m glad to see my vote is continuing to deliver for Iowa by replacing bridges across the entire state so rural communities, small businesses, farms and local traffic can stay connected.”
Photo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation.
