Council Weighs Design Revisions, Timeline Options for College Drive Bridge

DECORAH -- The Decorah City Council is weighing cost-saving design changes and a possible shift in construction timing for the College Drive Bridge Improvement Project, after a detailed 30% design presentation sparked debate over scope, traffic impact, and public safety. WHKS, the engineering consultant hired for the project, presented its 30% design and cost estimate to the City Council on Monday. The bridge improvements are part of a larger infrastructure push that includes adjoining trail expansions and Heivly Street upgrades. One of the key decisions before the Council is whether to scale back the length of the new bridge approach pavement. The current design shows complete replacement of both sides, but engineers say most of the pavement is in "fair" condition and could remain. "Scaling back the bridge approach pavement would save the project about $62,000," WHKS Underground Utility Task Manager, Chase Holien said. "We don't see an issue with reusing the existing pavement as much as possible, but we wanted to get the council's thoughts before moving ahead with that revision." Council members signaled broad support for the cost-saving measure, contingent on final confirmation by engineering staff. "Unless a city staff member had some compelling reason why we would need to do the entire bridge approach, I would say that's cut," Council Member Emily Neal said. The method of construction — whether to close College Drive entirely and detour traffic, or use staged construction to keep the bridge open — also drew attention. While staged construction could cost an estimated $30,000 more and take two to three weeks longer, Council members expressed strong preference for keeping the bridge open due to its role as a primary east-west artery used by approximately 9,500 vehicles daily. Holien presented two construction scheduling options: let the contractor choose to begin work either this summer or in 2026. The plan would allow for flexibility while also aiming to control costs, which could fluctuate based on contractor demand. "If the council does not have a preference on summer tourist season or school year… that's how I would recommend moving forward," City Manager Travis Goedken said, noting the approach could attract more competitive bids. Discussion also touched on coordination with the Heivly Street project, currently underway, and the availability of construction materials. Holien emphasized the importance of aligning timelines to minimize disruptions, especially near the start of the school year. As the city moves toward 60% design, more refined cost estimates and design adjustments will be reviewed. The bridge, originally built in the 1930s and resurfaced in the late 1980s, is expected to have its next major overhaul completed by mid-2026, assuming bids align with the proposed timeline. No formal vote was taken at the Monday meeting, but consensus around design scaling and flexible bidding is likely to shape the next steps as the city prepares to finalize plans.