County to start planning for next bridges

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by Patty Cheffey

Marion County can proceed with starting the engineering work on the next two county bridges to be replaced, but engineers might have to wait awhile to get paid.

Preparing for those  projects was discussed during the Marion County Commission meeting Monday morning, at which the commissioners also discussed lights at the Hannibal Courthouse and the Northeast Power grant and heard various updates.

Although two bridges have been approved through the new state BRO program, Teya Stice, county coordinator, said the state informed her the engineers cannot get paid until the state and county have signed an agreement.

Stice also noted the county can do both bridges at the same time. However, Western District Commission Steve Begley said he’d like to see the bridge on the “Abby’s Access” road be one of the new pre-engineered bridges.

“It’s a lot cheaper,” he said, noting however, he was unsure how long they last as these are a new concept. “However, it’s a metal top and concrete base.”

In other business, Sheriff Jimmy Shinn said he would like to see some outside lights installed at the Hannibal Courthouse.

Lights are needed, he said, on the front porch and stairs on the sidewalk as well as on the west side of the parking lot.

Commissioners asked Stice to follow up with that.

The commissioners also met with Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative concerning the grant, however, no cooperative agreement has been signed as the lawyers are still discussing the issue.

They did, however, approve the hiring of Toth and Associates from Springfield, Mo. as the grant writers. They were the lone bidders for that part of the project.

Larry Lake was present to ask the county why the stop signs on Highway C and County Road 266 couldn’t be changed to yield signs as “no one stops anyway.”

While agreeing drivers barely slow down at the intersection, Begley noted should an accident occur there, with the stop signs in place it will be obvious which party is at fault.

Commissioners also approved having Stice seek a new bidder for painting projects at the Palmyra Courthouse, including the clock faces, Lady Justice, window frames and metal work.

The county heard an update from Chariton Valley, which reported Phase 1, 2, 3 and 5 are done with 4 being started this week.