Members of the Tama City Council this week addressed comments and concerns from the general public regarding the future of the Lincoln Highway Bridge in Tama.

Nearly two dozen community members packed city hall Monday to hear the latest plans for upgrading and preserving the historic structure.

Two weeks prior, the council learned there had been no bids received for a proposed bridge improvement project when the city’s engineering firm re-let the project in January.

Ahead of council discussion, a public comment period was held at this week’s meeting, at which time a number of concerned citizens spoke in favor of preserving the 115-year-old bridge.

Several people expressed concern that altering or moving the bridge from its present location could have a negative impact on area tourism should the bridge lose its designation under the National Register of Historic Places.

Following the public comment period the council held discussion on possible options for maintaining the bridge without altering its historic status, but took no action on the matter.

A recommendation was made that the council attempt to form a committee and then look to come back with a decision on whether to pursue bidding with the department of transportation in late March.