A bridge on County Road 654 near Broseley, Mo., is closed today after an inspection by the Missouri Department of Transportation revealed major problems.
The bridge is located near County Road 661, southeast of Twin Rivers High School.
Pilings have rotted and need to be replaced on the structure, which is more than 60 years old, said Gary McDonald, county highway superintendant.
The bridge could be closed through the winter, dependent on how extensive repair work is and the weather, he said.
The county highway department will need to determine if the work can be done by its crews, or needs to be put out for bid, said presiding commissioner Vince Lampe.
This is an unexpected expense for the county that comes near the end of its budget year, he said.
MoDOT inspections are routinely conducted every two years.
The county has close to 100 bridges and this is the only one so far to have major problems, McDonald said.
Minor repairs also will be needed to other bridges countywide.
MoDOT has about 15 bridges left to inspect, which is expected to occur next week.
The County Road 654 bridge over Menorkenut Slough Number 16, commonly known as Crooked Ditch, is used as a cut over road, McDonald said.
Residents in that area will have to stay on Highway 51 and reroute about 1 mile while the bridge is closed, he said.