North Island Bridge collapses after fallen tree; county to seek specifications and possible funding

Neosho County officials said a large tree fell on and collapsed the old bridge at the north end of the island, and the county will need to remove the wreckage from the river and likely add funds to cover retrieval costs.

“...it had a very large tree fall on it and and brought it down,” said Mike, Road and Bridge superintendent, describing the damage and the need to remove the bridge from the water. He told the commissioners he did not expect the scrap value to cover removal costs.

County staff said they will ask CFS (county engineering consultant) to prepare specifications so any retrieval complies with state and federal rules and can be put out to bid. Mike said he had notified KDOT program staff and sent photos; KDOT’s program staffer said she would note the situation in the county’s existing application for local bridge funding.

Commissioners discussed that a replacement will likely be requested by area residents. The collapsed structure is the same bridge Neosho County had previously entered in the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program and the county’s off-system bridge applications; staff noted those programs are competitive and that awards are not yet decided for the current funding round.

Officials said replacing the bridge would reduce pressure on two nearby low-capacity bridges carrying heavy agricultural loads. County staff recommended pursuing formal specifications and bids for removal and monitoring the outcome of state bridge funding before committing to a replacement schedule.

The county will proceed with engineering specifications and follow procurement rules before seeking contractors to remove the structure and will keep commissioners updated on any required budget amendments or funding requests.