Riverside Bridge replacement bill sent to Trump’s desk

Last edited 4:08 p.m., Sept. 26, 2017

Legislation supported by Missouri politicians to replace the Riverside Bridge in Ozark yesterday headed to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.

The legislation calls on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to lift statutory flooding restrictions, allowing for construction of a replacement bridge adjacent to the current one. The bridge has been closed for five of the last seven years, most recently as of July 2015, because of flooding, according to a news release.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. Roy Blunt and co-sponsored by Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. Its companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives is sponsored by Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo.

“Flood-related closures of the Riverside Bridge have, for years, disrupted the lives of those who live and work in the Ozark community,” Blunt said in the release. “By removing one of the biggest obstacles preventing this project from moving forward, the bill helps pave the way for a new, reliable travel route across the Finley River.”

Trump had not signed the bill into law as of this morning.

Funding for the bridge owned by the Ozark Special Road District would come from the city’s 3/8-cent sales tax approved by voters in April, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and fundraising. Ozark City Administrator Steve Childers said the estimated project cost is $3.1 million.