The Keystone Bridge in downtown Elkader is the town’s only bridge across the Turkey River except for the IA 13 bypass. The bridge closes to vehicular traffic today for a rehabilitation project. Work is expected to last until October.
The bridge was completed in 1889 and was part of the Iowa highway system until 1982. A history of the bridge and its predecessors, along with lots of photos, can be found here. The city’s website says the bridge was built with local limestone.
The original cost was about $16,300; this year’s project was contracted above $3.6 million.