Belvue Bridge
Pottawatomie County commissioners agreed Monday to pursue a grant in conjunction with Wabaunsee County that could potentially cover the entire cost of the Belvue Bridge project.
If awarded, the grant could pay for about $11 million in improvements to extend the life of the bridge by about 100 years.
However, if the two counties do not get the grant, they will stick with the originally agreed upon $7.5 million project with Pottawatomie County paying for 83 percent and Wabaunsee County covering the rest.
Commissioner Pat Weixelman voted in favor of the grant but expressed frustration with the change in plans.
“Why can’t we stick with a decision and go for it?” Weixelman said. “If the shoe was on the other foot, Wabaunsee County wouldn’t be trying to inflate the price on this because it would make the cost greater to them.”