A project to repair the Arkansas River bridge east of Great Bend on SE 60 Avenue is starting next week, the Barton County Engineering Department announced Tuesday

Great Bend firm L&M Contractors plans to close the bridge  on Tuesday in order to begin replacing the deteriorated expansion joint. Traffic will not be allowed over the bridge during the work, which the contractor expects to have completed by July 15. 

In addition, SE 60 Avenue will be closed on the south side of East Barton County Road, so traffic to Bartlett Grain and nearby properties will continue to have access from US 56 highway and from East Barton County Road. Traffic into the Stone Sand sandpit and other properties on the south side of the river will have access from SE 20 Road onto SE 60 Avenue, but the road will be closed at the south end of the bridge.  

The company was awarded the contract by Barton County after submitting the low bid of $39,487.50.