Stoddard County commission hears opening bids on projects

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. —Two Stoddard County bridge projects are a step closer to replacement with the opening of bids from four companies during Monday morning’s county commission meeting.

Smith & Company Bridge Engineer/Project Manager Jeremy Manning opened bids from Robertson Contractors, Inc. of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Joe’s Bridge and Grading, Inc. of Poplar Bluff, Keith Simpson Contracting, LLC of Benton, Mo. and Fricke Management and Contracting, Inc. of Murphysboro, Ill.

The lowest bid for replacement of the bridge on County Road 772 was submitted by Fricke Management and Contracting, Inc. at $188,392.

Joe’s Bridge and Grading, LLC submitted the lowest bid for replacing the bid on County Road 743 at $177,497.

According to Manning, the bids will be reviewed by Smith & Company before being sent to the state, who will award the bid.

Manning is expected to present a letter to the commission during next week’s meeting with the awarded bid.

The two bridges will be replaced using Off-system Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (BRO) funds, which uses federal transportation funds to repair bridges throughout Missouri.

Stoddard County currently has two more bridge projects set for this year.

University of Missouri Extension

County Engagement Specialist in 4-H Youth Development Kristi Baker presented the commission with the group’s 2018 annual report featuring accomplishments of the past year.

The report highlighted a few innovative programs in youth development, agricultural profitability, nutrition and health, building family and individual strengths, affordable housing, environmental quality and business development.

Baker also introduced new field specialist in agronomy Travis Jones.

Jones, who began Dec. 4, said his main knowledge is row crops and he hopes to begin a verification program.

In this, he will look to collaborate with consultants and research some of their ground and distribute a weekly newsletter of what’s going on and being found in crops.

Jones also would like to write a year end analysis including crop yields, economics and happenings from the year.

“We have a lot of good things happening,” Baker said.