A dam and bridge near Mankato, Minnesota, are set to be torn down due to structural issues caused by heavy rain earlier this summer. The Rapidan Dam and County Road 9 Bridge were at risk of collapsing after floodwaters eroded their foundations. The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners voted to remove the structures to prevent a potential disaster and ensure public safety.
The closure of the bridge may impact local farmers who rely on it for transportation to their fields, as they may now have to travel longer distances to reach their crops. The timeline for rebuilding the bridge is uncertain, but it is expected to take years and require significant funding. The cost of repair or removal of the dam and bridge is still unclear, but the county is working with state and federal agencies to secure financing for the project.
The dam, which was built over a century ago, has been damaged by previous floods and has not been operational in recent years. The situation highlights a larger issue in the U.S., where many dams are in poor condition and could pose a threat to public safety and the environment if they were to fail. Inspections, upgrades, and emergency repairs are needed for thousands of dams across the country to prevent potential disasters.
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Officials Decide to Demolish Unsafe Minnesota Dam and Bridge
