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County ponders naming bridge for WWII veteran

Aberdeen American News - 7/5/2020

Jul. 5--Brown County has been asked if a bridge in Hecla could be named after a local World War II veteran.

Highway Superintendent Dirk Rogers asked commissioners about the request last week. Since the county doesn't have an application or a process for such a request, those who approached him filled out the state's application, Rogers said.

The applicants want the bridge to honor decorated Army veteran Dale Shelton.

Rogers said the county doesn't have a process for evaluating a person who would be honored. While the state's process includes a $2,000 fee, he asked commissioners if there should be a local fee.

Commissioner Duane Sutton said perhaps a $500 fee would be appropriate with the condition that any sign replacement expenses be covered by the applicant.

No formal action was taken. The board deferred action on the request until Tuesday.

Bridge grant

In other action, commissioners briefly discussed a recently awarded grant to update the Elm Lake Bridge on County Road 3A. Rogers said the $1 million project isn't expected to to be done until 2024.

According to a news release from the South Dakota Department of Transportation, Brown County's was one of 49 bridge improvement projects funded through the grant program. Spink County received approval for work on nine bridges.

In a phone interview Thursday, Rogers said only certain bridges qualify for the program -- those in the poorest condition.

The federal funds will cover 82% of the cost. Another $4 million in state funding, approved by the 2020 Legislature, will be used to offset the local match, leaving a local match of 5% to 6%, according to the release.

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