Aging infrastructure and finding money to address the problem is a constant balancing act.

Edgar County Highway Engineer Aaron Lawson discussed a problem bridge in Simms Township with county board members during the Monday, March 6, road and bridge committee meeting.

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2024, Lawson is planning to use county township bridge money to start engineering for the Swango Bridge, near the Preston Road, in Simms Township.

“The bridge is probably the worst in the county. It requires an inspection every six months,” said Lawson. “If we don’t do something, we will have to close it.”

The solution is building a new bridge that is wide-enough and strong-enough to accommodate modern farm equipment.

Lawson noted the money he plans to use covers the engineering for a new bridge including all the required environmental and cultural studies. Such information, once properly gathered, can be held for the future as it does not have to be used immediately.

“Engineering is preliminary work,” said Lawson. “You don’t have to build it. It is five years out.”

However, much can change in five years as shown by the Camp Bridge project. From the time the Illinois Department of Transportation approved putting the bridge on a five-year funding cycle, rising prices for construction material doubled the cost, making it unaffordable for the county to build.

“We are waiting for the announcement to see if we get additional money,” said Lawson.

Work remains to finish the Farnham Bridge on Christmas Tree Road. Lawson said the new bridge was opened a few years ago but a variety of reasons have prevented rebuilding and widening the approaches that were part of the original design. He is hopeful that can happen this year as the county has ample fill material to accomplish the project and can use highway department staff and equipment to do the work.