The Marion County Board Tuesday night awarded a contract to make repairs to the Skillet Fork Bridge on the Route 161 Extension that will allow it to reopen to two way traffic.
County Highway Engineer Mike McCormick says C-Hill Contractors of Centralia will complete the work.
“These repairs will get that traffic control off the bridge and get it back to two lanes. It will however never be back above 15 tons. The state will never allow it.”
McCormick hopes the bridge can reopen in a few months, but says it will depend on how long it takes to get supplies.
C-Hill Contractors will be paid $146,888 under the contract. McCormick says the entire cost will be paid for through motor fuel tax proceeds.
The county board also awarded a contract to Gonzalez Companies of Salem to provide consulting services on replacement of the Poplar Creek Bridge on the Route 161 Extension. The three year contract is for $118,000. McCormick feels that project is still three to four years out.
