With $192,000 Left From Grant, City Hopes To Fund Projects

This aerial photo taken by Pitzer Digital in fall 2013 shows how the southern bank washed away from the Mill Bridge.

With about $192,000 remaining from the anonymous grant given to repair Neligh's Mill Bridge, funding may be available for more projects concerning the bridge.

The City Council discussed the possibility of using the remaining funds during Tuesday's meeting but decided to table action until more information is available. 

The Mill Bridge officially reopened last November thanks to the generosity of a $650,000 grant for the repairs. The 2010 flooding of the Elkhorn River washed away the south bank. 

Although no action was taken at the meeting, city attorney Jim McNally will write a letter to the donors' attorney with a proposal detailing anticipated project, including sandblasting and painting the bridge and street improvements near the bridge.

Former Mayor Jeri Anderson said it was suggested to sandblast the bridge now while the river is iced over. The painting and street work would come later. 

For the street project, McNally suggested using milling from the airport runways rather than concrete to lower the cost of the project.

The City is waiting on a contractor to estimate sandblasting and painting the bridge. Some aspects of the project may be lower than $30,000, which would make it unnecessary to let bids. 

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