Fireworks, Damage Found On Newly Resurfaced Sappington Bridge

Crawford County commissioners said fireworks and apparent fire damage were found on Sappington Bridge Road shortly after the road was resurfaced in June.

District 2 Commissioner Jared Boast was upset when the commission met Tuesday, June 23. Boast’s district was responsible for completing the project.

The road, located off Highway D outside Sullivan, was recently resurfaced after more than two decades. Not since the original truss bridge had been removed and replaced had the road been resurfaced, making the project a significant achievement for Crawford County.

Boast said Tuesday the damage was discovered during a survey of the area.

He said a “copious amount” of fireworks debris was found on the bridge. Workers also found evidence that someone had poured an accelerant on items and set them on fire, raising concerns that the bridge itself had been damaged.

“That’s my bridge,” Boast said. “When you try to burn my bridge down, I get passionate about it.”

Boast said the concern is not simply cosmetic. Heat can damage concrete and weaken its integrity, particularly on a bridge surface that is exposed to traffic, ice melt and winter weather. 

Damage to the surface could allow salt and moisture to penetrate the concrete, causing premature failure.

“You cannot burn on concrete and expect it to hold up,” Presiding Commissioner Steve Black said.

The damage also comes as county officials continue to cite limited road and bridge funding. Boast said the county does not have enough money to quickly repair or replace damaged infrastructure and that major bridge work often depends on state or federal grants.

“This bridge is a couple million” dollars,” Boast said.

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department has been notified and the county also has contacted MoDOT for an inspection, which Boast described as proper protocol.

Officials also raised concerns about debris from the fireworks and fire materials ending up in the river.