CR 61 bridge replacement coming

There are hundreds of bridges dotting the landscape throughout Holmes County, and soon one of them will be receiving a major facelift.

On Monday, Jan. 30, the Holmes County commissioners opened the bids for work on the bridge located on County Road 61, just off County Road 19 in Mechanic Township.

Josh Galbraith, Holmes County assistant engineer, and Matt Chanay were on hand to open the bids, which turned out to be just one bid, which came from V.O. Menuez & Son of Holmesville.

The bid came in at $947,955.98, with the engineer’s office estimate being $964,995.

The bridge is an estimated 70 feet long, and according to Galbraith, the bridge work should begin in late spring and be completed by fall.

The bid will now move from the commissioners to the engineer’s office, where engineer Chris Young will peruse the bid and make sure everything is in order, something Galbraith said shouldn’t be a problem. When the bid is approved, V.O. Menuez has 120 days to complete the project once it has begun.

Galbraith said the need to replace the bridge was an easy decision based on the current state of the bridge.

“The overall condition of the bridge has deteriorated,” Galbraith said. “Years ago, it was actually repaired. It is low posted, and the condition rating is a three, which is extremely poor, so the need to rebuild it is the way to go.”