Work begins Monday on Champion Lake bridge

The road to Champion Lake’s north side will be closed beginning Monday as Chase County roads crews tear out the current bridge and replace it with culverts.
The bridge, which was built in 1935 and has numerous holes in its decking, will be torn out but its pilings will be left. The county plans to tie the culverts to the pilings so that the culverts won’t be washed away if there was flooding.
The county will haul in dirt to cover the culverts. The amount of dirt needed will most likely determine how long the project will take. Estimates are between one and two weeks.
Road superintendent Toney Krajewski said the county will need to do a survey after the culverts are placed to make sure the county gets the correct slope to the road.
Road secretary Tori Otzel said there will be a very subtle incline.
Chase County Commissioners debated for several months about the best plan for the bridge.
At the commissioners’ March 8 meeting, Champion residents had a chance to discuss the bridge with county officials.
Krajewski recommended two 48-inch culverts and a lower road that would allow water to flow over it if there was too much water or the culverts became plugged. If the dirt around the culverts is washed away, county employees can haul in more.
The addition of culverts will also make the road wider so two vehicles could meet and pass each other on that section of the road.
Questions on the project can be directed to Otzel at the roads department, 308-882-7520.