BELLE — Residents waiting for repairs to the bridge near First Street will likely have to wait much longer.

During the June 29 special meeting, Belle officials said additional engineering revisions requested during the federal review process have delayed the city’s bridge project, making it unlikely grant funding will be available for at least two years.

The discussion began when Alderman Steve Vogt asked whether any funding had been included for the bridge in the city’s newly approved fiscal year 2026-27 budget.

Charro Reasor, office manager-city treasurer, said no specific funding had been budgeted because the project remains dependent on a FEMA grant.

“We don’t even have an idea of what that’s going to be,” Reasor said. She explained the project had been sent back for additional review after federal officials determined portions of the engineering work had been omitted.

According to Reasor, the review failed to include undercoating and foundation work, requiring the plans to be returned for additional engineering and cost estimates.

“Everything went back to the drawing board last month,” Reasor said. “They missed all the undercoating on the bridge. They didn’t include the foundation, so all that’s got to go back…for review and repair cost.”

Because of those revisions, she said the city should not expect grant funding anytime soon.

“With that FEMA grant, you’re looking a couple years before we ever see any money there,” Reasor said.

Alderman Jeanette Struemph also told the board she had received information indicating federal grant requirements have become more stringent, adding that projects can lose funding if they fail to meet program requirements.

“To get a grant…if you’re accepted for the grant and they don’t like the way you’re doing it, they can pull your grant money at any time,” Struemph said.

No action was taken on the bridge project during the meeting. City officials said the project remains under federal review while revised engineering information is completed.