During a recent government meeting, officials provided a comprehensive update on the county's infrastructure, specifically focusing on roads and bridges. Highway Administrator Terry Griffin outlined the current state of the county's infrastructure, which includes 377 centerline miles of roadway, 70 bridges, and over 1,600 culverts.

Griffin highlighted the pressing need for infrastructure improvements, noting that nearly 12% of the county's pipe culverts are rated in poor condition, with 200 pipes needing replacement. He emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, suggesting that even at an accelerated replacement rate of 50 pipes per year, it would take four years to address the current backlog.

The condition of the county's bridges was also a focal point. According to Griffin, the sufficiency rating of bridges has improved from 67% to 80% over the past year, although the goal remains to achieve at least 90% of bridges rated above 50% sufficiency. In the last three years, the county has replaced 11 bridges, a significant achievement attributed to various funding sources, including ARPA and bond funds.

Griffin mentioned that six additional bridges are currently under design or construction, with one notably expensive project—the Stockdale Road bridge—estimated to cost around $3.2 million. However, he cautioned that as ARPA funding diminishes, the county will need to explore alternative funding sources to continue necessary infrastructure improvements.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the county in maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure, with officials committed to finding solutions to ensure the safety and reliability of roads and bridges for residents.