With four of its worst bridges already tied to a pending federal grant application, Clay County is taking a flexible approach to another opportunity for bridge replacement funding.

Commissioners recently approved a resolution authorizing Clay County Road and Bridge to apply to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for funding through the Missouri Regional Bridge Program to support the replacement of two county bridges.

Road & Bridge Director Tom Degenhardt

explained the county is typically allowed to apply for two bridges through the program, creating a challenge because its four worst bridges are already included in a separate federal Bridge Investment Program grant application. Clay County Road and Bridge applied through the Federal Highway Administration in June, seeking funding to replace or rehabilitate four county bridges. According to Degenhardt, three of the bridges are closedand the fourth is reduced to one lane with low traffic volume.

Degenhardt emphasized he did…