Repairing one of two bridges that were closed this week is going to cost about $40,000 more than expected, Douglas County commissioners were told Thursday.

The cost for repairing a bridge’s deck on North 1100 Road, three-tenths of a mile east of U.S. Highway 59, was “significantly underestimated,” County Engineer Keith Browning said. The bridge was found to have more damage than expected when the top layer of concrete was removed.

The contractors originally expected to patch 32 square yards, but that has grown to 205 square yards. Browning said the bid for the project was $85,123, but the new cost estimate is $126,965.

Browning’s total estimate for repairing the North 1100 bridge and a second bridge near Stull was $125,000.

He asked commissioners to grant him the authority to increase contractor orders up to a total of $140,000 for the two-bridge project.

“Doesn’t sound to me like we have much choice,” commission Chairman Bob Johnson said.

Johnson and Commissioners Jere McElhaney and Charles Jones unanimously approved Browning’s request.

Commissioners also approved a contract bid with Asphalt Sales of Lawrence to purchase from 8,100 tons up to 13,000 tons of asphalt at a price of $33 per ton. Approval also was given to a second purchase of 1,000 to 5,000 tons of asphalt from LRM Industries at $37.45 per ton.

The second bid from LRM was necessary because there likely will be times when Asphalt Sales will not be able to supply the asphalt, Browning said.

Johnson and McElhaney were unable to attend the commission meeting in the Douglas County Courthouse. They participated by speaker phone.

Jones was at the courthouse with Browning and County Administrator Craig Weinaug. Commissioners normally don’t meet on Thursdays.