A Cass Township bridge closed Friday because it was deemed unsafe, the board president said.
A Stultz Road bridge situated near Elk Creek already had a three-ton limit because of structural concerns. Following a Missouri Department of Transportation rating, the agency recommended closure. Barricades were put in place and only local traffic could use it.
On Thursday night, a trailer-truck unit loaded with hay tried to bypass the barricades and became stuck, Jack Watson, board president, said. That truck is reportedly expected to return again from Kansas.
Watson said the bridge is now closed to all traffic because Cass Township cannot assume any liability for injury. “It was just a matter of time before someone got hurt,” said Watson.
Adding, “It’s unsafe.”
Watson said an engineering study was already in progress before the total shutdown.
MoDOT safety standards for township bridges are expected to be discussed Monday night during a meeting of townships at the Texas County Justice Center.
The closure comes after a controversial demolition of an Upton Township bridge and replacement of it one week ago. The original $22,500 bridge had been built in the spring and a load limit instituted by MoDOT. It replaced with a low-water bridge with six tin horns last week after two members of the Upton Township bridge authorized it.
Members of the Texas County Commission met last night to discuss the situation.
One of the main sources of funding for the county’s 17 townships are state funds that are distributed monthly to them from the county based on the number of miles maintained. That method of dividing the funds from fuel and motor vehicles also is under scrutiny, amid charges it is a violation of state statute.