The Nebraska Highway Commission has approved having Nebraska and Iowa accept ownership of the 63-year old toll bridge over the Missouri River at Decatur.

The Burt County Bridge Commission owns the span, but has been talking to both states about an ownership transfer since the mid-1960s. The transfer of ownership is expected by the end of the year.

The bridge on Neb Hwy 51 and Iowa Hwy 175 handles about 2,000 vehicles a day through the summer, and Burt County officials say maintenance and repairs are too costly for the county to keep it.

Operation and maintenance costs would be split along the state line with Iowa paying the lion’s share because 73.6% of the bridge is in Iowa.

Tolls would be eliminated because Nebraska law does not allow the Nebraska Department of Roads to operate toll bridges.