Old Powell Bridge Project Proceeds

Representatives of the Powell group seeking to save an old steel-framed bridge in that area as an historic landmark met April 28 with engineers and the county commission to advance their thinking.

According to county commission minutes, Jason Silvis and Spencer Jones of Great River Engineering represented their firm at the meeting. Great River will be taxed with preparing and submitting plans to the Missouri Department of Transportation for final approval.

The project came together in February 2008 when it was announced that the old steel bridge would be torn down to make way for a more modern structure. The Powell Historical Preservation Society was formed shortly thereafter. Meetings with MoDOT and the commission ensued. Members of the preservation group filled almost one side of the McDonald County Division I Courtroom at the meeting.

Although it has taken some time, the project is making headway, at no direct expenditures from county funds, according to the minutes.

The commission also discussed a recent decision to have the health department test all jail and lawenforcement personnel for tuberculosis at the county’s expense.

They also reviewed the latest $5,037.12 receipt from the Emergency Management Performance Grant reimbursement and talked about a recent meeting of the Missouri Transportation Alliance, which the commission attended.

At the April 26 session, Western Commissioner Ronnie Walker received word from Eric Kellstadt of MoDOT that the Pineville Eighth Street Bridge is city property and not the county’s. The commission was to inform Pineville Mayor Pat Beshears of that fi nding.

Sheree Huntley, who announced her concerns about trailer pads going in on property adjacent to hers on Huntley Lane that may not have adequate sewer service, according to the minutes. She was referred to County Health Department Sanitarian Chris Deems for information.

Split Log Road north of Lanagan has been renamed Sulpher Springs Road, according to an announcement from the 911 office. The road is inside the city limits.

Joe Hendricks of Elk River Abstract clarified maintenance responsibilities of River’s Edge Road in Anderson.