Photo courtesy https://www.flickr.com/photos/smaedli/
Photo courtesy https://www.flickr.com/photos/smaedli/

WOODLAWN, Ill. (AP) — Repairs to a southern Illinois bridge that collapsed nearly a year ago soon may begin.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan (http://bit.ly/Xg2HAA) reports work on the 36-year-old Panzier Lane span in rural Jefferson County is expected to start in mid-September. That’s a year since the bridge failed.

Jefferson County Highway Engineer Brandon Simmons says the project will be let out for bid on Friday, with construction anticipated to begin within about 45 days from when the bid is awarded.

Simmons says the bridge was built without steel pilings encased in concrete, meaning they rusted and sheered.

Federal taxpayers will pick up 80 percent of the estimated $650,000 to $700,000 tab, with the remaining funds coming from the county.

Some 250 to 300 cars used the bridge each day.

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