(MSC News)--Four local counties are among 27 Kansas counties that will receive a combined total of $5 million under the Kansas Department of Transportation's Local Bridge Improvement Program.

KDOT, in a news release Monday, said the bridge program was re-instated this summer to assist cities and counties by providing up to $150,000 toward the replacement or rehabilitation of a bridge on the local roadway system.

Locally, Atchison, Doniphan, Marshall and Pottawatomie Counties were selected for funding. Doniphan, Marshall and Pottawatomie will also each receive an additional $50,000 for choosing to close a second deficient bridge.

KDOT said requests for funding outpaced available funds by nearly three times. The release said a total of 86 applications from 70 public agencies were received with requests for $14.2 million in funds. Some agencies submitted more than one application for the program.

The program targets bridges that are 20 to 50 feet in length, with a daily vehicle count of less than 100.

There are about 19,000 bridges on Kansas' local road system. KDOT said about 20 percent—or 3,800—of those bridges are in poor condition—or unable to meet today's weight and vehicle requirements.