RANTOUL — Work on replacing the Vermont Road bridge over the Marais des Cygnes River near Rantoul will begin this year. Franklin County commissioners gave the green light to the $1.8 million project Wednesday. Because most of the $1.8 million cost will be paid by the federal government, the Kansas Department of Transportation, which is administing the bridge program, had to approve the low bidder, which was Bryan-Ohlmeier Construction of Paola, said county public works director Jim Haag. The construction timetable is still being worked out, he said. There will be a lengthy detour which will use Rock Creek, Oregon and Marshall roads, I-35 and K-68.
