TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Shawnee County Commissioners took a step forward Monday morning in efforts to replace the Willard Bridge.
They voted to approve $127,000 to cover costs of acquring the necessary easements for a new bridge over the Kansas River on Carlson Road. Last week, commissioner officially lowered the weight limit on the structure, essentially limiting traffic to passenger vehicles.
Engineers have classified the bridge as "fracture critical."
Commission chairman Kevin Cook said Monday's action indicates replacing the bridge is a high priority of the county and moves the process forward. Commissioners Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer recently have exchanges criticisms as funding for a new swimming pool in southwest Topeka was approved, but bridge funding was voted down.
Public Works Director Tom Vlach says the money for the acquisition phase is available through the county's quarter-cent sales tax. He hopes to secure funding for the total $23 million project to begin construction next January, with completion in 2017.
Commissioners have directed requests be sent to state and federal officials for assistance in funding a new bridge. They have also asked the communities of Willard, Silver Lake and Rossville to allocate some of their sales tax proceeds toward a new bridge.
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