The Marion County Road and Bridge Committee will recommend to the full county board that work begin to replace the three worst township road bridges in the county. Highway engineer Alex Kreke labeled the bridges as most in need of replacement. The design of the replacement bridges begins a four-year process before construction begins on a new bridge.
They are the Bernard Road bridge in Raccoon Township over Raccoon Creek, the Sullens Road bridge in Iuka Township over Conner Ranch Creek, and the Zion Hill Road bridge in Centralia Township over Zion Hill Branch Creek.
The Bernard Road bridge is already closed due to unsafe pilings holding up the bridge. Kreke believes the other two bridges can last four more years, provided there is not heavy truck traffic.
Committee members were most concerned about the Zion Hill Bridge due to the heavy travel of that road.
Kreke says the county had design money available that would be lost if not used in the near future.
