County engineers to apply for state bridge grants; commissioners prioritize bridge 913

County engineering staff presented a list of bridges rated poor and recommended the county apply for two state programs: the off‑system bridge program and the Local Bridge Improvement Program. The board agreed to proceed with the recommended list and to prioritize Bridge 913.

Bruce Lee (presenting) explained which bridges are eligible and recommended four bridges for the off‑system bridge program: Bridge 205 (already in process), Bridge 202 (County Road 4700), Bridge 324 (County Road 6000), and Bridge 913A (near an existing structure). For the Local Bridge Improvement Program the presenter recommended Bridge 67 (a church-in-valley location northwest of Baltimore) and the grouped Bridges 68 and 69, which include an archbridge on Eighth Street in Coffeyville.

Board members discussed prior applications, recent awards (Bridge 5278 was previously awarded and is being replaced), and relative costs. One commissioner noted earlier estimates that replacement could reach $9,000,000 for a full replacement compared with lower historical estimates 10–15 years ago. Presenters explained program cost shares: the off‑system program covers a large percentage of construction and construction engineering costs with the county primarily responsible for engineering and utility relocation; the local program would require the county to cover 15% of construction and engineering and additional costs above program caps.

Commissioners directed staff to apply for all four recommended off‑system bridges with Bridge 913 as the priority and to have Cook and Flatt re‑evaluate whether splitting or separately replacing paired bridges would be more cost effective. Staff also agreed to reexamine a neighboring low‑water crossing and possible county-built alternatives. No formal roll‑call vote was recorded; commissioners instructed staff to proceed and to return with further cost information.