Exactly how it happened is unclear, but what happened is — and as a result, work to build a new Rocky Ford bridge southeast of Emporia needs some extra work before the overall project can proceed.
Lyon County Engineer Wayne Scritchfield says there were rebar and concrete issues during the recent decking process.
Scritchfield expects a contractor update on how to proceed, as well as how long repairs could take, by the end of the day.
The current bridge was added to the Kansas Register of Historic Places in 2020, in part due to its truss design and in part due to its significance in the infamous Sandra Bird murder in 1983 — but was also built in 1907 and is showing clear signs of aging. The bridge is being replaced but not removed.
Officially, work began last fall. The original plan has construction ending by June.
