The Fort Madison Bridge will close next month for repair, with maintenance expected to last through November. In a statement from BNSF railway, they announce the closure due to public safety as the necessary repairs are made. This will begin August 5th and last through August 30th, with a weeklong break as the Tri-State Rodeo goes on from August 31 to September 8th. After that, repairs will continue through November 22nd.
Maintenance work will include replacing floor beams and associated stringers at six different locations on both the east and west approach. Since the bridge is owned and operated by BNSF Railway, toll revenue collected on the bridge is paying for part of the maintenance with BNSF making up the remainder of the cost. They assure that no public dollars are being used.