Midwest Freelancer archive article
Marshall to annex decrepit bridges
(Published Tuesday, March 7, 2006)
By Chris Post/Midwest Freelancer
The city of Marshall will take ownership of two well-worn bridges, but only if money comes through to repair them.
At its Monday meeting, the Marshall City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution outlining its intention to annex the old viaducts on Eastwood Street.
Marshall Mayor Connie Latimer explained that the move is provisional and hinges on the city receiving a $1.6 million grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation Bridge Replacement Municipalities program.
“If we don’t receive the grant money, all bets are off,” she said.
The bridges, which span a set of railroad tracks and a creek, will remain in the possession of the Missouri Highway Transportation Commission until the completion of the repair project, Latimer said.
Once part of Missouri Highway 240, the viaducts fell into disrepair when the highway was rerouted. They were closed following an inspection in April 2005.
Latimer said the annexation is necessary because the grant funding is available only to municipalities. Although the bridges could eventually be the city’s to maintain, MoDOT and Marshall Special Road district are pledging to help cover the remaining $400,000 of the $2 million project.
The city will not know until June if it will receive the grant, but Latimer is hopeful that its restrictive nature will benefit the project. Only bridges that connect city streets to county roads are eligible for the program, she explained.
If the grant funding does not materialize, the route will be permanently closed. Latimer said MoDOT will not proceed with the project on its own and will do away with the bridges.
“They’ll be gone,” she said.
Those opposed to the annexation and renovation now have 14 days to file their objection with the city. Latimer said the city would like to take up the matter at its March 20 meeting, but may have to hold a special meeting on March 21 to allow for the full comment period to expire.
With the annexation moving along, the next step will be to correct an oversight and give the section of Eastwood between Indian Foothills Park and the bridges an official classification. Latimer said the street will be designated as a “minor arterial” route, the same designation that leads up to the location.
By Chris Post/Midwest Freelancer
The city of Marshall will take ownership of two well-worn bridges, but only if money comes through to repair them.
At its Monday meeting, the Marshall City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution outlining its intention to annex the old viaducts on Eastwood Street.
Marshall Mayor Connie Latimer explained that the move is provisional and hinges on the city receiving a $1.6 million grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation Bridge Replacement Municipalities program.
“If we don’t receive the grant money, all bets are off,” she said.
The bridges, which span a set of railroad tracks and a creek, will remain in the possession of the Missouri Highway Transportation Commission until the completion of the repair project, Latimer said.
Once part of Missouri Highway 240, the viaducts fell into disrepair when the highway was rerouted. They were closed following an inspection in April 2005.
Latimer said the annexation is necessary because the grant funding is available only to municipalities. Although the bridges could eventually be the city’s to maintain, MoDOT and Marshall Special Road district are pledging to help cover the remaining $400,000 of the $2 million project.
The city will not know until June if it will receive the grant, but Latimer is hopeful that its restrictive nature will benefit the project. Only bridges that connect city streets to county roads are eligible for the program, she explained.
If the grant funding does not materialize, the route will be permanently closed. Latimer said MoDOT will not proceed with the project on its own and will do away with the bridges.
“They’ll be gone,” she said.
Those opposed to the annexation and renovation now have 14 days to file their objection with the city. Latimer said the city would like to take up the matter at its March 20 meeting, but may have to hold a special meeting on March 21 to allow for the full comment period to expire.
With the annexation moving along, the next step will be to correct an oversight and give the section of Eastwood between Indian Foothills Park and the bridges an official classification. Latimer said the street will be designated as a “minor arterial” route, the same designation that leads up to the location.