Children laugh at jokes and tease each other as they squirmon the green vinyl of the yellow school bus’ bench seats. A fewstudy intently, determined to get their homework done despite thenoise.

In the front of the bus, the driver watches the road forunexpected dangers, such as cars pulling out in front of him orcareless drivers.

He pays no attention to the bridge he has crossed hundredsof times while taking the children to school every day for severalyears. The bridge is clear of cars and poses no threat.

Minutes later, rescue crews arrive to see the bus nose downin the creek after the bridge’s center gave way under the weight.Children, bloody rag dolls, lie scattered within the steel tomb andfloat in the pinkish water. The cries of the wounded children eruptin an pulsating clamor from the wreckage.

That scene hasn’t happened in Lincoln County yet, but it is anightmare vividly shared by several of the county’ssupervisors.

The bridge situation in Lincoln County is serious, officialssay, and not likely to change soon.

Despite their best efforts to keep bridges safe, they are losingthe battle, said District 2 Supervisor Bobby Watts.

“My estimate is we’re 20 years behind on our roads and bridges,”he said.

Watts said school buses are a major concern of his and one heworries about constantly.

“There isn’t any way a school bus can dodge our bad bridges,” hesaid. “There’s too many of them out there that are bad.”

District 3 Supervisor Nolan Williamson agreed.

“The bridges look nice, but underneath there’s nothing but woodpilings, and they’re rotting,” he said.

Keeping up with needed work is hard.

“We do the best we can in replacing or repairing them,” saidDistrict 4 Supervisor Doug Moak. “We want the roads open, but wewant them open and safe.”

A bus weighs approximately 33,000 lbs. empty, Watts said, andmany of the county’s bridges are only rated for up to 16,000lbs.

“It’s a serious problem and definitely a concern,” Williamsonsaid.

Supervisors said as soon as a bridge is identified as weakeningbeyond its last rating, it is reevaluated. Many are closed untiltemporary repairs can be made.

Bridge closures are fluctuating on nearly a daily basis as theyclose, repair and reopen bridges.

The county has already used all of its federal and state fundingto repair or replace bridges that had become so weakened closurewas the only option. Nothing is left for other bridges or forpermanent repairs, officials said.

“I guarantee you we’re not missing much (on government aidprograms),” Watts said. “We’re doing everything we can. Money isjust tight right now.”

State Aid funding is expected to begin again in June or July,but until then supervisors say they will just have to live with thenightmares and worries.