Residents can expect a delay on the opening of the Town Line Road bridge in the village of Iola.
Village authorities had originally expected the bridge to open soon,but they had not anticipated a de-watering problem.
According to engineers, the bridge footings could not beplaced as early as planned because water drawdown problems delayed pouring of concrete.
“They were having problems keeping it dry enough,” said Mary Jo Miller, project manager for Martin & Eisley.
The original completion date had been Dec. 1.
The village board recently extended the project until sometime in the spring. No definite date was set.
The pre-cast concrete arch bridge structure was delivered Dec. 18 and was placed on the footings.
“The bridge is in place and we need to finish up the grouting and backfilling in the spring,” Miller said.
She noted the completion date depends on the weather and “how fast things warm up in the spring.”
“The section of Town Line Road between Depot and Mill Street will remain closed until spring,” she said.
Placement of the bridge was part of an estimated $650,000 project that included reconstruction of Oak Street, Depot Street, Town Line Road and a portion of State Street in the village of Iola.
The project also included some sewer and water work on Oak and Depot streets.
The funds were provided by a private donor, the village of Iola, the Waupaca County Local Bridge Aid Fund, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Local Road Improvement Program.