By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorA state agency is proceeding with a condemnation lawsuit to obtain property to be used during construction of a new Highway 47 Missouri River bridge.A condemnation petition was filed Aug. 6 by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. The Robert and Carol Ley Revocable Trust and Jim Peters Signs, Inc. are named as defendants in the suit.The state is seeking a temporary construction easement for 1.4 acres, located north of the existing bridge west of Highway 47, to be used as a staging area for equipment and personnel who will be working on the project.MoDOT anticipates construction starting in August 2016.According to the petition, the state commission retained an appraiser to establish a value for use of the property, but that both sides have been unable to agree on compensation. The amount was not disclosed in the suit.In a brief court hearing held Thursday, Oct. 8, Warren County Circuit Judge Wes Dalton appointed local realtors Jo Pilla, Tom Brengle and Warren “Chip” Wobbe to serve on a commission to establish an amount for use of the property. The realtors, if they accept the appointment, will agree on a value that will be filed with the court.If a price cannot be agreed upon, the case may end up in a jury trial.The state highway commission is represented by Bryce Gamblin, Chesterfield. Troy attorney Henry Vogelman is representing the defendants.MoDOT officials previously said they anticipate opening bids next  May and award a contract in June, followed by preliminary construction work starting in August.The new bridge will have two 12-foot lanes, two 10-foot shoulders and a 10-foot-wide bike path along the west side. A tentative construction schedule calls for the new bridge to be open to traffic by late 2018.The older structure will be demolished after the new span is completed.Suit