Putnam Mayor Identifies Bridges That Need Replacement In Grant Application

Putnam County applying for transportation grant funding to create a 10-year improvement plan.

Mayor Randy Porter said up to $1 million could be awarded that would start the process for some bridge replacements.

“We have one on county farm road, and one off of Highway 70 East that’s going to need to be replaced at some point in the near future,” Porter said “This grant will pay for those engineering costs to get all of that ready so we can put it out to bid. It would save the county a lot of money if we can get the grant.”

Porter said widening County Farm Road could also be a part of the engineering process. Porter said if awarded, the county could apply for the next part of the program to possibly fund construction.

“We might be able to get those bridges paid for or maybe some of of these road improvements through this same grant, but we have to go through the study and engineering first,” Porter said.

Porter said he anticipates the engineer reports would take about a year or two to complete.

“Working with the development district on the grant,” Porter said. “Lots of transportation needs that we’re going to need in the future with our county growing and we want to try and stay ahead.”