Linn County Secondary Road Department Receives First Place in “Build A Better Mousetrap” Competition

The Linn County Secondary Road Department recently won first place for its extended bridge plank socket in the Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program "Build a Better Mousetrap" competition. The annual competition celebrates innovative solutions to everyday challenges faced by local transportation professionals.

Staff with the Secondary Road Department created the extended bridge plank socket to avoid the challenge of setting up scaffolding in the middle of a waterway when repairing timber bridges. A mechanic and welder used an impact socket, long metal tubing, and a swiveling handhold to build the extended bridge plank socket. The long, handheld design allows crews to safely secure timber bridge decking while standing on the ground.

"This innovative tool allows our crews to save time and increase safety by eliminating the need to set up scaffolding," said Linn County Operations Superintendent Jerad Kelley. "It also allows for a quicker turnaround on bridge repair projects, which means shorter disruptions and increased bridge safety for the traveling public."

More information about Linn County's current bridge repair projects is available on the Linn County Secondary Road Department website.