Area officials meet to approve the final speculations and to open the new bridge on County Road 531, located off U.S. Highway 412, two-miles north of Senath. From the left, Steve Hicks, with J.W. Githens Construction, Bud Brooks, Alderman for the City of Senath, Brooks' great-grandson Lathan Brooks, Second District County Commissioner Patrick McHaney, Dave Luther, MoDOT official, and Presiding County Commissioner Don Collins. Staff photo by Trina Bell [Click to enlarge]

SENATH, Mo. -- Another deficient bridge in Dunklin County was removed recently and replaced thanks to the help of several state and county offices.

The bridge, located on County Road 531 off U.S. Highway 412 approximately two-miles north of Senath, was closed earlier this year due to its severe dilapidation.

On Thursday, July 3, 2008, County Commissioners Don Collins and Patrick McHaney met with engineers to approve the finalize the last inspection.

Through the Missouri Department of Transportation Bridge Soft Match Credit Program, the Dunklin County Commission and Salem Township, this once deficient wooden bridge was torn out and replaced with a bridge that meets the appropriate type, width and length specified by the engineers.

Collins and McHaney, met with Dave Luther, MoDOT official and Steve Hicks with J.W. Githens Construction, as well as Senath Councilman Bud Brooks and his great grandson Lathan, for a final inspection before opening the bridge to the public.

"What's good about this kind of project is that it was done at little cost to the taxpayers," Collins said, as he briefly explained the purpose of the Bridge Soft Match Credit Program.

"This program provides an alternate process for local agencies to remove deficient bridges from the Bridge Inventory," Collins said, "meaning that the federal contract requirements and clearances by federal agencies may be waived, but all state and local contract requirements and clearances shall still be met."

After meeting, the commissioners and MoDOT officials approved the final specs and announced the bridge would be open to the public as of Thursday, July 3, 2008.