Keokuk, IA – Keokuk plans to apply for roughly $9-million through the U.S. Department of Transportation's TIGER program.
The program provides funding for road, rail, transit and port projects nationwide.
Keokuk would use the money to repaint portions of its railroad bridge and to encase the underwater piers.
This will be the city's second attempt to secure TIGER funding for the bridge.
Alderwoman Susan Dunek says the idea is to extend the life of the bridge.
The spot painting could add 15-20 years to the life of the bridge while the pier work could offer a 30-40 year extension.
Keokuk would have to provide a local match of $1.8-million if the city receives its full request.
That money would come out of the city's bridge fund.
Keokuk maintains an account with roughly $3-million in case the structure must be demolished.
The money came about from past and present bridge tolls.
Dunek says that while the local match would greatly deplete the fund, the additional life expectancy would give Keokuk time to replenish the account.
The TIGER grant application is due later this month.