(KLZA)---Richardson County Commissioners are asking the Nebraska Department of Transportation to address concerns about planned bridge replacements on Highway 8 in 2027.

The projects include replacing the Nemaha River bridge east of Salem and the bridge on the west edge of Falls City, which would close Highway 8 between Falls City and Salem during construction.

The state’s proposed detour uses Highways 75 and 73, but commissioners say the most direct route will be a gravel road south of Salem known as Pony Creek Road.

The board is concerned about added maintenance costs, limited road-rock supplies and safety hazards from increased passenger and grain-truck traffic, dust and steep hills.

Commissioners are asking the state to help with road maintenance and for Nebraska State Patrol assistance in monitoring traffic.

They also want the state to consider keeping the existing Salem bridge open while the new bridge is constructed, saying that would reduce the impact on residents and agricultural producers.