Officials are hoping to secure just over $1.1 million in federal funds to help cover the cost to replace a Carbon County-owned bridge in Packer Township.

On Thursday, the county commissioners approved applying for $1,119,621 through the Community Project Funding Program, a federal appropriations program that allows members of Congress to allocate funds to state and local governments and nonprofits for projects that benefit the people they serve.

The application is for the replacement of county bridge 4, located on Grist Mill Drive over Quakake Creek. An estimate for the project comes in just under $2 million.

According to the county, officials continue to “aggressively identify funding opportunities for the deteriorating County Bridge 4 in Packer Township.”

The deck and superstructure of the 31-foot concrete encased rolled steel I-beam bridge are in poor condition, which led to the county setting a 3-ton weight limit.

“That significantly impacts Packer Township residents, local businesses Broad Mountain Stone and Vogel Farms, the Weatherly Area School District and emergency services,” the county said for the application.

Detours that Weatherly Area School District transportation are in place and force the school to travel an extra 13,421 miles per school year; consume an extra 1,677 gallons of fuel and affects 108 students.

In December, the county spent $750 to Larson Design Group of Selinsgrove for a proposal on cost estimates for the replacement.

Last year, the county spent just under $30,000 to make repairs to the deck of the bridge; as well as changed the weight limit.

The bridge was constructed in 1913.

In other bridge matters, while not on the agenda, Commissioner Rocky Ahner provided an update on county bridge 18, located on Tannery Road, over the Lehigh River, between Kidder Township in Carbon and Foster Township in Luzerne County.

The summary says that the two counties are working together on a funding strategy to make necessary repairs to the bridge, which was last constructed in 1988 after being closed for several years.

This bridge needs rehabilitation work on the abutment stems and wingwalls, as well as the deck surface. In addition, on the Luzerne County side, there is an issue with the approaching slab settling.

Bridge 18 provide a link to Route 534, which provides access to both Interstate 80 and Hickory Run State Park.