Ray-Caldwell bridge replacement set for 2010
, News Reporter
10-30-2009
Ray County will likely cross a long-time distressed bridge off its to-do list by the end of 2010.
AVCO Construction, LLC, from Hamilton, should begin work replacing the SE Sader Drive bridge over Mud Creek by April 2010, said Ray County Commissioners Allen Dale and Mike Twyman. The project will be a fifty-fifty split of the $369,385.50 bid between Caldwell and Ray counties – the two at opposite ends of the bridge – and Dale estimated work should finish by July 2010.
The project will be another product of the Off-system Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (BRO) federal-aid program. The 120-foot bridge is a Grade Three bridge, Dale said, meaning it can’t hold more than three tons going across.
That presents a problem for area farmers driving grain-loaded trucks from county to county.
“We try to pick out a couple bridges every year to be replaced,” Dale said, adding just about all major bridge projects since 2007 have been completed through the BRO program. “In fact, we started this program in 2007. I call this one of the worst bridges we’ve had. Now the funds are available to replace it.”
Dale said it helps that the AVCO bid beat the engineering estimate of $438,000.
“It’s a county-line road. It’s important, because there’s a lot of travel on it,” Dale said.
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