Swift County, Pillsbury township debate ownership of old U.S. 12 bridge

Swift County is trying to determine just who owns the old U.S. Highway 12 bridge 1.2 miles southeast of Kerkhoven because it will have an impact on who is responsible for its upkeep and potential replacement.
The bridge is one of the oldest in the county and has been flagged as the most deficient as well. A 100 rating is a perfect mark for a bridge while anything under 50 or 60 is deficient, Swift County Highway Engineer Andy Sander told the county board of commissioners at their meeting May19. The old U.S. 12 bridge has a rating of 34. It was last inspected more than six years go.
While its rating is very poor, the bridge is not used by the general public. When the new railroad tracks overpass was built in the 1980s, the old section of U.S. 12 and the bridge were by-passed. Today, it is used by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad to fill up a propane tank.