County bridge replacement on track

Nevada Daily Mail

Vernon County Commissioners were visibly happy Tuesday morning after an update on a bridge replacement project in the southeast portion of the county.

Jason Sivils, a project consultant with Great River Associates, told the commissioners that several thousand dollars had been shaved off the final cost of the nearly complete bridge project near Montevallo.

"We had a savings of $2,832," Sivils said, who estimated earlier this year that the bridge would cost around $222,300. The replacement was at no cost to the county because of Soft-Match credits, a federal program that allows counties to receive credit for funds spent on other bridge projects. Commissioners used those credits to finance the new bridge over Wilkey Creek.

"Did you hear that? We came in under budget," Commissioner Bonnie McCord said.

The Missouri Department of Transportation condemned and closed the bridge, which lies on the borders of Vernon and Cedar counties, nearly two years ago because of sinking issues. Commissioners said the bridge was also unable to accommodate more than one lane of traffic. The new bridge will span 74 feet, and offer enough space for two lanes of traffic.

Commissioners approved the project to start in January, and work on the bridge began in March, with an expectation that it would be completed by mid-June. Sivils told commissioners that the bridge was not entirely finished, but on track to be completed by early June. At that time, the county commission will host a ribbon cutting to officially open the bridge.