Sunset Hills, Fenton To Collaborate On New Bridge

by Rick Frese

September 14, 2007

Sunset Hills and Fenton will work together toward a new bridge to replace the Old Gravois Bridge closed by St. Louis County on Aug. 2.

The Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen on Sept. 11 voted 7-0 to move forward in replacing the old bridge. The Fenton Board of Aldermen is expected to vote at its meeting on Sept. 17. St. Louis County closed the bridge connecting the two cities across the Meramec River after determining the bridge to be unsafe.

The boards will seek a commitment from St. Louis County tfor $1 million toward planning and construction of the new bridge. The cities will also seek funding from East-West Gateway Coordinating Council and other potential sources.

The cities will file for a grant application with East-West Gateway by Sept. 21. Sunset Hills is responsible for filing for the grant application. Sunset Hills approved paying the $22,500 grant application fee for the Old Gravois bridge replacement.

Fenton has agreed to pay 70 percent of the local commitment and Sunset Hills has agreed to pay the rest. Fenton’s share would not exceed $700,000, while Sunset Hills’ share would not exceed $300,000. The two cities would share ownership and share maintenance costs equally.

The design of the new bridge will be decided by both cities. Sunset Hills will be responsible for the design and construction management of the new bridge project, with no management fee to be paid by Sunset Hills. The cities agree that management fees may be paid to an outside firm for seeking qualifications of consultants. Both parties must provide final consent.

Sunset Hills Mayor John Hunzeker said he favors proceeding with building the new bridge.

“This is an opportunity lost forever if this is not passed tonight,” Hunzeker told the Sunset Hills board.