(KNZA)--Bids were opened at Monday’s Brown County Commission meeting for the replacement of a flood-damaged bridge in the southern portion of the county.

Three bids were received for the replacement of a 35-foot bridge on Kingfisher Road, south of K-20.

All three were under the engineer’s estimate of nearly $217,000.

Reese Construction, of Salina, was the apparent low bidder at just over $139,000, with a start date of April 1 of next year.  

Commission Chairman Keith Olsen said the project needs to be done before fall harvest and suggested that a tube be installed instead.  

A motion by Olsen to reject the bids died due to the lack of a second.

An engineer with BG Consultants will return with a cost estimate for replacing the bridge with a tube and the commission will revisit the bids at that time.