The Ellsworth County Commissioners were alerted to a bridge closure Monday during their weekly meeting.

According to County Road and Bridge Superintendent Dale Houston, Black Wolf Bridge No. 308 on Avenue J is closed immediately due to failure of the bridge pilings.

Houston said the bridge will need to be replaced since the pilings have become rusted through and the bridge has dropped 4 inches. He noted a shoofly road is being constructed to deter traffic safely around the bridge. It will take at least a year before a new bridge is built.

In a related matter, commissioners approved a design contract with Kirkham Michael to start design on a replacement bridge. The cost will be $59,000. It was noted the Kansas Department of Transportation will pay for 95 percent of the replacement bridge.

In other business:

• Approval was given to replace the road signage west of K-156 Highway at a cost of $66,180.32 to be reimbursed to the county.

• A brief discussion was conducted with representatives from the Bukaty Company regarding health insurance. No action was taken.

• EMS Director Nathan Florian gave an update on his department. EMS is conducting its annual Youth Academy Day.

• Approval was given to a proclamation making April 14-20 National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Ellsworth County.

• County Clerk Shelly Vopat is applying for a water technical assistance system grant for populations under 500 people.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County Commission will be at 9 a.m. Monday, April 15, at the county courthouse.