Two of three Missouri Department of Transportation bridge projects in Ozark County are on track for completion in October. The bridges were damaged in the spring floods. The Ozark County Times reports James Bridge on Highway PP and the CC Highway bridge at Hammond Camp should be completed in October, according to a MoDOT spokesman. Bridge decks were poured last week on both the PP and CC highway projects. The third project, the JJ Highway Bridge over the Little North Fork of the White River near Thornfield, has reopened after being completely replaced.
While progress continues on repairing or replacing Ozark Countys bridges and low-water crossings damaged by the April floods, Ozark County Commissioners said again at their meeting Monday until FEMA funds come through, most remaining repair and replacement work will have to be put on hold and only necessary maintenance will be done. A FEMA representative is scheduled to meet with commissioners this week.
Repair and replacement of flood-damaged bridges and water crossings that are the countys responsibility are moving more slowly. District commissioners blame the delay on FEMAs mishandling of paperwork.
Western District Commissioner Gary Donley says this is his seventh natural disaster as a commissioner. He says this time, things didnt work like they have in the past with FEMA. Noting it’s been five months since the floods, he says this is the longest he’s ever waited for FEMA funding.
Eastern District Commissioner Gary Collins says the east side of the county has 188 work projects hes hoping FEMA funds can assist with.
Donley says there are more than 160 work projects on the west side.
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