Ray County leaders opted to remove the Buffalo Road bridge from a federal list for potential replacement funding, citing the steep cost as outweighing the benefits of keeping the little-used crossing open. The bridge, which spans Crooked River, had been considered for the Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Off-System (BRO) program, which helps fund repairs of deficient structures. However, commissioners agreed its limited traffic and high price tag made the project unworkable for now. “It always boils down to, if you need an emergency vehicle to get to the area, it’s going to take longer without that clearance,” said Eastern Commissioner Max Hockemeier. Officials noted no residents came forward to object or ask that the bridge be kept on the list, clearing the way for a unanimous vote to remove it. Financial questions took up much of the remaining discussion as commissioners tried to untangle insurance credits related to a county vehicle that was totaled and replaced with a new…