Belvue bridge connects Pottawatomie County and Wabaunsee County and after a little over 50 years, a discussion has started as to what should be done with this failing bridge.
During their Monday meeting, the Pottawatomie County commissioners had a work session to discuss the options before them for Belvue bridge.
Mori El-aasar, structural engineer with BG Consultants, presented three different options for the commission to consider. The first was to re-deck the bridge with a light weight concrete. This option would have a life expectancy of about 25 years, but would not solve the fracture critical designations of the bridge. The second option was an aluminum deck. This option would also have a life of 25 years, but again does not solve the fracture critical and also would not have a crash worthy guard rail. The third option was to fully replace the bridge all together.
At their next meeting on November 19, the commission will be meeting with Wabaunsee officials to discuss the issue further.
During their meeting on Monday, the commission also when through the change orders for the new Justice Center in Pottawtaomie County.
Monthly department updates were also given for the noxious week department, the sanitarian/landfill, and the zoning administrator as two different locations were up for rezoning designations.
Due to the Veteran’s Day holiday, the commission will not meet on November 12.