Grant County repurposed state bridge concrete to halt erosion; county awaits state funds

At the July 8 meeting of the Grant County Fiscal Court, the presiding judge described a county effort to repurpose concrete from a state‑removed bridge to stop erosion at a ravine that threatened county roadway.

"They are taking the state's bridge out, and I contacted the bridge engineers to see if we could possibly have some of the concrete and repurpose it," Judge Schuckdow said, describing an effort to use the material to shore up a county ravine. The judge said the road department used county equipment and personnel to place the concrete and "stop the erosion" and that the effort "saved us quite a bit of money" compared with buying rock, which has risen sharply in price.

The judge said the county is continuing pothole repairs, is awaiting direction from an outside engineer on bridge funding, and is still waiting to hear from the state regarding county road funds. Court discussion included mention of U.S. Highway 491 and specifically named local roads the county is monitoring as part of ongoing maintenance.

One magistrate said she and another had discussed reconfiguring the road committee given recent activity and projects; she said she would bring the matter forward for scheduling. No formal action or funding decision on the bridge or repurposing plan was taken at the meeting.

The court reiterated it had not yet received a promised memorandum of understanding from the state and did not expect immediate notification on the state funding decision.