By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County is one of 75 counties and two cities in Kansas selected to receive funding under the Kansas Department of Transportation Local Bridge Improvement Program.

KDOT Secretary Mike King announced the recipients of the more than $10 million in funds at Tuesday’s meeting in Hays.

Ellis County received $143,445 to replace a bridge 6 miles north and 5 miles west of Hays in the 900 block of Emmeram Road.

The state contributes 90 percent of the total project cost, and the local public authority contributes 10 percent.

The county’s share of the costs will be approximately $16,000 dollars.

The bridge program targets bridges with a daily vehicle count of less than 100 and a length of 20 to 50 feet.

About 1,900 bridges across the state qualified for the funds.