FLOOD-DAMAGED BRIDGES ON COUNTY ROAD 481 IS OPEN TO TRAFFIC

JACKSON -- The flood-damaged bridge on Cape Girardeau County Road 481, near Millersville, is open to traffic again. The wooden floor of the bridge was washed away by flash flooding that occurred in the county on Nov. 12-14.

County Engineer Scott Buchtold said county highway department workers replaced the bridge floor this week, allowing the bridge and County Road 481 to be opened on Wednesday. Prior to the flash flood damage, the bridge was already scheduled to be replaced by a newer bridge in late 1994.

Buchtold said the flood-damaged concrete deck bridge on United States Hill, north of Neely's Landing, remains open to one-lane traffic. A speed and weight limit that was imposed last week also remains in effect. It has not been determined whether the bridge can be repaired or will have to be replaced.

"We also opened a new bridge on Country Road 274, near Arbor in the southwest part of the county," he added. "This bridge replaces an older bridge that was removed."

Buchtold praised the quick response and work by county highway department workers in getting flood-damaged roads and bridges in the northern and western part of the county repaired and reopened this week.

Said Buchtold: "They really got in there and went to work and got the job quickly and professionally. We should all feel very proud of the work these people do throughout the year, and especially when something like this occurs.

"Too often, we tend to take our country roads and bridges for granted until they're damaged by flooding, and we're forced to use detours until repairs can be made."