BRIDGE REPLACEMENT WILL BEGIN NEXT YEAR

JACKSON - Replacement of one of the largest bridges in the Cape Girardeau County road system - which has been in the works for seven years - will get under way early next year, Associate Commissioner Leonard Sander said this week.

The 122-foot long bridge over the Diversion Channel, is located between Whitewater and Delta. The bridge, known as the "Bund Bridge," will cost about $430,000 based on engineer estimates.

Sander, who oversees the county highway department for the county commission, said the process of getting the bridge designed and approved has been time consuming, but is optimistic construction is just around the corner.

"It's taking a long time and we have had a little bit of everything come up," explained Sander. He noted that there were problems initially getting the bridge approved by the state because of its cost, and it had to be specially designed to meet guidelines of the Little River Drainage District.

Another problem was right of way acquisition, which ultimately had to be resolved through condemnation proceedings that take time.

"All of it put together has just sort of made this a nightmare," exclaimed Sander. "I was very anxious from day one to get that bridge started because it carries a lot of traffic."

The bridge is being constructed with federal off-systems road money, which is administered by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department. Bridges built with federal funds must meet a stricter set of specifications than those built only with county money.

At least 70 percent of the bridge will be funded by the off-systems money.

At one time, Sander feared delays by Congress in passing a new highway bill would cause another setback in getting this bridge started. But last week, in a meeting with Bob Sfreddo, former District 10 chief highway engineer and now design engineer for the state, he was assured that the money was in place.

"He said since the money had already been allocated, he did not think it would be a problem."

Sander added, "So far we have not been hurt by the status of the highway bill."

A second bridge, over Caney Creek near Millersville, is also close to being bid and will be partially funded with federal money. The engineer's estimate for the bridge is $120,000.

Congress is hoping to pass a new highway bill in the near future and Sander is hoping more money will be available for county bridge projects.

"From what I can tell, it could be there will be a lot more for off systems money, and if they do, we'll try to get all we can," said Sander. "At the very least, I don't expect to be any worse off."

Some road and bridge projects have been delayed by the inaction of Congress to approve a bill.

Sander stressed he is looking forward to getting his big bridge started. With grain elevators now located in Whitewater, there is heavy traffic going over the bridge, which makes its replacement even more essential.

"This will be by far the most expensive bridge we've ever done because there are so many specifications that have to be met and because of its size," said Sander.

"There is a lot of approach work to do with this, and because we are building it over the Diversion Channel, Little River Drainage District requires it to be constructed over the ditch so there are no pillars in the center. The bridge must be self supporting from each end."