Bunker Mill restoration costs adjusted

KALONA ? The Friends of Bunker Mill Bridge, whose mission it is to save and restore the historic 126 year old bridge just outside of Kalona, received good news from the engineering team that arrived at the bridge site this month.  Initially the group thought that the bridge may have to be completely lifted and moved to the river bank possibly to be dismantled and rebuilt at estimated costs exceeding $450,000.

The November onsite inspections and tests performed by Nels Raynor of BACH Steel and Jim Schiffer, PE of The Schiffer Group, Inc. have resulted in a more conservative and cost effective restoration plan. Raynor and Schiffer bring over 20 years of experience and expertise working on historic bridges.

FBMB Managing Director, Suzanne Micheau now reports that the restoration costs are estimated at $270,000. Of that amount the group has made application to the Washington County River Boat Foundation (WCRF) for grant funds in the amount of $154,048 with FBMB providing matching funds of $112,000. WCRF announces it grant awards in December of this year.

According to FBMB Executive Director, Julie Bowers ?Everyone seems to be getting in the spirit of community participation and personal responsibility in Kalona. With the donations of goods, services and time, by so many, including BACH Steel, and with a good prognosis for the span once we dug out the shoes, we were able to devise a plan to lift the bridge from one end and fix it in place.  We can?t wait to get started.?

FBMB has launched a capital fund-raising campaign with outreach to donors in both the public and private sectors.

Donations can be mailed to FBMB, POB 962, Kalona, IA 52247. FBMB is partnered with NSRGA, a 501C3 non-profit organization to oversee restoration of the historic Bunker Mill Bridge. For more information contact FBMB Managing Director, Suzanne Micheau at (319) 936-6339.