The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved emergency repairs to county bridge 200, located 2.7 miles east of Great Bend on East Barton County road (the first bridge east of the Kiowa Kitchen restaurant). Work will likely begin today and will cause the road to be closed Wednesday through Friday.

County Engineer Clark Rusco received a bid from L&M Contractors of Great Bend for the project. Under the bid, L&M will furnish equipment, labor and supplies with the county providing the pump truck and grout. The cost of the repair is expected to cost no more than $20,000.  

Chunks of concrete from the bridge had been washed away, probably last year, which has compromised the structure. The problem was discovered recently during the routine biennial inspection.

East Barton County Road runs parallel to U.S. 56 and receives heavy use. On March 23, the commission restricted traffic on it to local traffic only as long as U.S. 56 is under construction.

The fear was over safety concerns on the dirt road if it became used as the main detour during the nearby project.

The bridge is slated to be replaced in 2016.