The Eldred Township supervisors have approved a last minute resolution to save the old stone arch bridge.

After hearing the township engineer’s report and discussing it, the supervisors last week made the decision to apply for a Monroe County grant. The problem was the deadline to apply was just a couple days later. Even worse, they didn’t have a resolution prepared for the supervisors to authorize applying for the grant.

That’s when township solicitor Michael Gaul suggested quickly drafting a resolution for the supervisors to approve. After a short break, the resolution was in hand, and minutes later, it was approved.

“We’re going to do the bridge,” said Supervisor Blaine Silfies, who wanted to clarify that for any residents who questioned whether or not the supervisors would repair the bridge or tear it down.

The cost to restore the bridge is about $732,000, said Brien Kocher, the township’s engineer and vice president of Hanover Engineering.

There is also the cost of the permits, fees and studies totaling about $25,000, plus an additional 15% to 25% for unexpected costs. The total cost could be about $940,000.

Kocher said they would need a general permit for the work, plus an endangered species study, and an erosion and sediment control plan. The first phase of the endangered species study would look into if there are wetlands and a habitat for bog turtles. Bog turtles are on the critically endangered list. This phase would cost about $5,000.

If a habitat is found for bog turtles, then the second phase would involve getting a bog turtle surveyor who would work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate the site further. This phase could cost about $15,000.

Gary Hoffman, the chairman of the supervisors, asked about the timeline and if any of the permits expire.

“The statewide permit does not expire. What will expire are some of the clearances associated with that,” Kocher said.

The clearances are good for two to four years depending on the time of clearance.

Kocher also said that because the rehabilitation work is so specialized, the township should realize they may get only one bidder for the project.

The repointing of the bridge has to be done by a specialist, so that it is done correctly. Part of the problem with the bridge right now is that the wrong type of mortar was used to repair it in the past, Kocher said.

“The repointing of the bridge, although it will look nice when it’s done, that’s not why you’re doing it,” he said. “What happens is the water gets in through the top or through the sides with rain and weather and that water freezes and then it pops those stones out, so what you’re doing is you’re repointing it but you’re sealing those side entrances. You have to do it with the right mortar.”

Kocher said the correct mortar breaths so any moisture that does get in will be able to dry out.

“We gave you a construction estimate and an idea of what type of work you’d do to rehabilitate the bridge to help make it last longer. Get the water out of it, and kind of stabilize the structure,” Kocher said. “We broke it down into basically 11 tasks and gave you construction costs for the purposes of applying for a grant.”

A grant would help cover the cost of the work, permits, and fees. The resolution passed by the supervisors was for a grant in the amount of $940,000.