County to build bridges

 The Comanche County commissioners are looking to the near future with an agreement to build two new bridges on a rural road in the Eastern District.   

The commissioners approved an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for work on bridges and approaches for a low-water crossing on Woodlawn Road, about 1½ miles east of Oklahoma 65 during Monday morning’s regular meeting at the Comanche County Courthouse.   

Eastern District Commissioner Gail Turner said the project, which will be funded 80 percent by federal funds and 20 percent through state contributions by the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges funds, will advertise for bids in January.   

He said construction will most likely start early in spring 2014. The low-water crossing will be replaced with two concrete bridges and the road will be improved.

The total cost of the project will be around $1.2 million, Turner said.   

In other business, the commissioners approved a tentative 2014 holiday schedule for the courthouse. The new schedule will keep the same holiday closings as 2013 and will add Columbus Day, and the Wednesday through Friday of the week of Christmas 2014.   

The holiday schedule will have to be approved by the Comanche County Excise Board before it will be official.