By: Joyce Wiese Monday morning, November 23, at the Tama County Board of Supervisors meeting County Engineer Lyle Brehm told supervisors all cultural and environmental clearances are now in place for replacement of the Chambers bridge in southeast Tama County on 380th Street. The current target date for bids is in June 2016. The Chambers Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as it was one of the few remaining pinned Pratt through Truss bridges left in the state of Iowa that was unmodified since its construction. The Chambers bridge has been closed for some time due to safety issues. Chambers Ford Bridge has an unusual history. It’s westernmost span was built in 1890 by the Clinton Bridge and Iron Works at a cost of $3987.00. Apparently at t his time a crude approach system was also built. By 1903 that approach system had deteriorated and another Pratt truss span was built by the George E. King Bridge Company. In 1938 unknown rehabilitation took place. One of the approach spans was resting on what looked like an en post or vertical member salvaged from some other truss bridge. The 1903 span is a traditionally composed example of a pin-connected Pratt truss bridge. It appears to retain good historic integrity. The 1890 span is in sharp contrast highly unusual and untraditional in many aspects. It included swat bracing that at the bottom has a pipe running between vertical members, which is a highly unusual detail. Also unusual is the way the floor beams are connected to the truss. They are not hung from hangers as was typical at that time. Instead, special pins just for the floor beams (separate of the bottom chord connection pins) were built into the vertical members so the floor beams are essentially pin connected to the truss. The bridge did not use the traditional cover plate for the top chord and end post, and instead has v-lacing on the top, giving the bridge a distinctive appearance. This highly rare and significant bridge was abandoned. With preservation in mind Tama County advertised the bridge for sale, thinking it might be used for pedestrians on trails and in parks. The bridge has not been purchased so the county will take on demolishing the structure. This will most likely take place in 2016. Brehm also stated snow removal over the week end went well, the first of the year. County treasurer Laura Kopsa gave out a Levy authority summary , an active urban renewal area for Tama County Vienna Wind Farm Urban Renewal area. The outstanding TIF debt $9,126,335. General obligation bonds were in the amount of $7,450,000 plus interest in the amount of $1,676,335. This debt started in March of 2013 and is scheduled to be completely paid back in 2032. Supervisors reminded those present the courthouse would be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Claims in the amount of $148,639.45 were approved for payment.