Coolidge Bridge Opens

by Michele Boy | April 10, 2026

The sun was shining on Tuesday morning as the County Commissioners drove to Coolidge to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new expanded Coolidge bridge. Less than one mile from Highway 50 stands a brand new 4.33 million dollar bridge. The project was one hundred percent financed by the KDOT Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program in 2023. Hamilton County paid $198,000 for the preconstruction planning and design costs. 
The new bridge meets the needs of the modern-day agricultural world with an extra four-foot-wide expansion and an additional six feet in length. 

Once upon a time a narrow, wooden bridge stood in its place. In the early 1960s, a new bridge was built. Then, in the flood of 1965 Nikki Schwerdfeger recalls cattle on the bridge for days. Helicopters dropped hay to feed them. 
As time moved forward, ag equipment size and weight grew. Sprayers, tractors, combines, hay trucks, all needed more room. Increased traffic of heavy trucks as well.  

Former County Commissioner John Simon said, “The county has biennial inspections by Kirkham Michael & Associates to look at the safety of all the bridges of the county. When the Coolidge bridge came up for inspection, they reported the bridge could no longer handle the impact.”

The County Commissioners saw the need for a new bridge. 

In 2023, County Commissioners John Simon and Keith Puckett, and Road Department Director Frank Burns put in the request. In 2025, the Notice to Proceed was received. Work began by creating a shoofly (a temporary detour or bypass track/road built around a construction site, repair zone, or obstacle to allow traffic to continue flowing). Then the bridge was dismantled.  Reece Construction of Salina, Kansas did the work. They put in precast, prestressed concrete beams. 

Aside from a week of rain, which we could really use now, and a bitter cold snap, the project moved forward. In March of 2026 it was completed. In addition to a wider expanse, the new bridge has a lower guardrail to accommodate combine headers. The signs will be lowered by the county to just above the guardrail. 
There were a couple of problems that needed addressed, and Reece quickly returned to repair them, including a drainage issue. 

Straw blankets have been placed to grow grass when it rains again. A plaque was placed on the side wall of the bridge honoring those who took part. The plaque includes Commissioners John R. Simon, Andy Coleman, Michael W. Lewis, Keith A. Puckett, Nikki Schwerdfeger, Aaron T. Plunkett, and Brian R. Grilliot. EAS Bridge No. 70, Superintendent of Rural Operations Frankie D. Burns, Sr., Engineers, Kirkham Michael & Associates, Inc., Contractor Reece Construction Co., Inc., and the year the project was commissioned, 2023.

KDOT representative Jenny Egging said, “We’re proud to be part of this project with Hamilton County and our partners. This bridge represents a meaningful investment in the community’s future, and DOT is always glad to support local efforts that improve safety and connectivity.”

Dean Pierce of Kirkham Michael said, “This bridge replacement project was a huge win for the travelling public due to the collective efforts of Hamilton County, Reece Construction Co., and Kirkham Michael & Associates.”  
Simon added, “It is an improvement! The bridge is a lot wider. I see they are redoing and widening bridges everywhere in Kansas. I am hoping they will do the one south of Syracuse soon.”

After the ribbon cutting, a celebratory lunch was held at the Hamilton County Library Program Room for those involved with the project. 

 

Pictured Back row L to R - County Commissioner Aaron Plunkett, Road Department Manager

Frank Burns, County Commissioner Andy Coleman, County Commissioner Brian Grilliot, Dean

Pierce Kirkham Michael Construction Manager, John Riggins Front - Steve Phillips, County

Clerk Angie Moser, County Commissioner Mike Lewis, County Commissioner Nikki Schwerdfeger,

KDOT Engineer Gary Bennett, KDOT Local Bridge Team Leader Donna Schmit, Kirkham Michael

representatives CW Harper, Jon Halbgewachs/photos by Michele Boy

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