After reviewing more than a dozen eligible bridges, Ray County has chosen two to pursue for the next round of federal funding.

Commissioners recently selected Garner Road and Fire Branch Road bridges for submission through the Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Off-System (BRO) Program. The federal program helps local governments replace or rehabilitate poor-condition bridges on local roads outside the federal-aid highway system, but submission does not guarantee a project will receive funding.

Ray County can submit up to two projects for the funding round, with applications due Sept. 30. The county began with 13 eligible structures and spent recent weeks reviewing their conditions and determining which should move forward.

The BRO program is administered through the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). If a project moves into construction, MoDOT and the engineering firm each provide inspection of the work.

Garner Road Bridge emerged as a likely selection during the county’s r…