Nearly three weeks after heavy rain brought down the old John Brown Road bridge, Franklin County is deciding how to replace it. Public Works Director Jeff Welton has been studying three choices.

The county could hire Husker Steel to build a new bridge for about $300,000, or it could put in a large culvert. The third path is to wait and see how state historic officials want the site handled.

Welton would rather take the fastest route, but because the bridge carries a historic designation, the county first has to hear back from the state. KOFO reported that the historic route could raise the price to nearly $1.5 million, leaving the county to pay more than $300,000 even after grants. Commissioner Colt Waymire has also discussed the options, and a decision is expected at an upcoming meeting.

For details, see KOFO's reports on the replacement options and Welton's preferred approach.