Burlington is trying to determine if Cascade Bridge can be restored.
The city council closed the bridge on South Main Street, several years ago, to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The pedestrian ban was eventually rescinded.
The city was in the process of moving ahead with plans to tear down the roughly 115-year-old structure and build a new bridge.
The four-million dollar project was put on hold, though, after the State Historic Preservation Office stepped in.
Interim City Manager Dan Luttenegger says the agency wants to make sure the city is doing enough to possibly save the bridge.
He says the city decided not to use the same organization that prepared the report about the new bridge.
That has led to Burlington sending requests for proposals to more than a dozen qualified firms from throughout Iowa.
Luttenegger says the idea is to find out how much it will cost for them to come to Burlington to study Cascade Bridge and provide a report on restoration.
He says whether Burlington will consider restoration or proceed with a new bridge will likely come down to cost.
Luttenegger says it could be months before a study on the bridge is complete. He says the State Historic Preservation Office also wants Burlington to look into the historical impact of the structure.
Luttenegger says the $1-million grant the city received for the project is not being jeopardized by the delay.
