Clatsop County Public Works recently submitted a request for $6 million in federal funding to replace one county bridge and rehabilitate three others.

If funded, the projects would take place between 2018 and 2021.

The bridge eligible for replacement is at the Klootchy Creek Park, two miles east of the U.S. Highway 26 junction near Seaside. The 100-foot-long bridge over the Necanicum River offers access to the park and to acres of private timber land.

“It’s an important bridge to maintain,” Public Works Director Michael Summers said. “It’s important for fire access.”

The three bridges in need of rehabilitation are:

• The Rodney Acres Bridge on Dolphin Road over the Skipanon River in Warrenton;

• A Youngs River Road bridge over the Klaskanine River south of Astoria;

• Stavebolt Bridge on Logan Road over the Stavebolt Creek south of Astoria.

Summers said each bridge is made of timber components reaching the end of their useful lives. He wants to remove the wooden components and install new steel or concrete structures.

“I want to remove the timber structure and put in a steel structure,” Summers said. “It’s a long process, and this is just the start of it.” The Oregon Department of Transportation bridge engineering section distributes the federal money to qualified projects throughout the state. The funding is competitive since there is a total pot of between $25 million to $50 million.

“They have to pick and choose,” Summers said. “There is a lot of need statewide.”

If any of the local projects are chosen, Clatsop County would have to submit a 10 percent funding match.