OAKLAND, Ore. -- Douglas County will receive a $16 million grant, and the money will go to improving the Oakland Bridge and the Conn Ford Bridge outside of Roseburg, Congressman Peter DeFazio said.

The federal grant comes from the Competitive Highway Bridge Program.

Officials from Douglas County said they selected these two bridges because of their ages. The Oakland Bridge is 93 years old and the Conn Ford Bridge is 54 years old. They said both bridges are now structurally deficient and have reached the end of their lifespans.

In the case of a natural disaster or even heavy traffic, the bridges would have a harder time holding up, officials said.

Larry Bergold, who has lived in Oakland for the last 31 years, said a new bridge in Oakland would solve many traffic issues the town has.

“I’m not sure what they're gonna do in terms of improvements, but if they're gonna stretch it and make it two lanes again, that would be the answer,” said Bergold. 

Officials said they don’t have designs or a construction date set at this time.