Howell County has awarded a $435,000 contract to West Plains Bridge & Grading Company to replace the County Road 2000 bridge over the Eleven Point River.
The company submitted the lowest qualified bid for the project, according to county officials. Northern District Commissioner Calvin Wood stated the new 24-by-64-foot structure has an anticipated completion date of February 2027.
The replacement is being funded through the Off-System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation, or BRO, program, a partnership between the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
While the BRO program traditionally operates on a cost-sharing arrangement with the federal government covering 75% of the total cost and the local government covering 25%, commissioners noted in a statement following the initial announcement that the county's final share could be lower. They explained the county may be eligible for "soft match" funding credits that could offset a portion or all of the county's 25% share, potentially reducing or eliminating the direct cost to local taxpayers.
Following the project's announcement, county officials also addressed public inquiries regarding the selection process for bridge replacements.
Commissioners clarified that counties do not choose to replace bridges at will. Instead, MoDOT engineers inspect all county bridges every two years to evaluate structural integrity, load capacity and overall safety. Based on a recent inspection, the County Road 2000 bridge received a rating that prompted a recommendation for its replacement.
Once identified as needing replacement, the bridge was placed on a list of eligible projects that must meet specific criteria to compete for the available BRO funding.
Commissioners noted the deteriorating condition of the County Road 2000 bridge creates a significant liability concern for the county. Addressing the structural deficiencies before they become critical, they stated, helps avoid higher future costs, forced weight restrictions or total closure, while ensuring safe routes for residents, emergency services, school buses and agricultural operations.
CUTLINE
he bridge carrying Howell County Road 2000 over the Eleven Point River in the county's Northern District is seen in a satellite view. Howell County officials recently awarded a $435,000 contract to West Plains Bridge & Grading Company to replace the deteriorating structure. The project, primarily funded through the state and federal Off-System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation program, has an anticipated completion date of February 2027.
COURTESY / GOOGLE MAPS
