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Brown County hears low‑cost rural bridge options from farmer‑funded coalition
Summary
Presenters from the Soil Transportation Coalition outlined 20 proven, lower‑cost approaches for short‑span rural bridges — including railroad flatcar bridges, vibratory H‑pile drivers and buried soil structures — and Kansas Soybean representatives said up to $10,000 may be available for pre‑engineering; commissioners agreed to survey bridge foremen and hold a work session to evaluate local projects.
Brown County commissioners heard a briefing on Tuesday from the Soil Transportation Coalition about lower‑cost methods for replacing and repairing short‑span rural bridges and agreed to take local next steps, including a survey of bridge foremen and a scheduled work session.
The presentation, given by Mike Steenen, executive director of the Soil Transportation Coalition, emphasized that many rural counties lack the revenue to replace aging bridges and that cost‑saving construction techniques can extend limited budgets. "My crystal ball says that there will never be enough money from the federal government, from the state government, and from local government to fully satisfy all of our rural bridge needs," Steenen said, arguing the county must both pursue funding and reduce replacement costs.
Steenen summarized a coalition report listing 20 proven…
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