After conducting inspections on the 280 bridges in Guthrie County, County Engineer Josh Sebern reported that one county bridge will have to be closed and nine others will be restricted to lower maximum crossing weights due to old age and deterioration. The bridge set for immediate closure is located east of Poplar Avenue on the dirt toad portion of 245th Street, approximately two miles southeast of Guthrie Center.

Sebern points out that 85 bridges are subject to weight limitations. According to Sebern, large aluminum culverts, advertised to have a 100-year service life, can most economically replace many of the smaller bridges.  Sebern explained material costs for aluminum culverts start at approximately $12,000. Three other bridges will be subject to weight limitations for the first time. They are the bridge at 20th Street just north of Sutcliffe Woodland approximately six miles west of Guthrie Center, the bridge at 320th Street approximately six miles west of Frontier Road approximately two miles north of Adair, and the bridge at Sycamore Avenue just north of 315th Street approximately two miles north of Menlo. All the remaining bridges located throughout the county in Grant, Union, Orange, Bear Grove and Valley Townships, that are already subject to weight limits, will face further reductions in maximum weight.

For more information contact the Guthrie County Engineer’s Office at 641-747-2274