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County presents long-range bridge plan, flags costly repairs and possible removals
Summary
A county engineer presented a long-range bridges plan that lists major repair and replacement needs, including closed Bridge 115 and a possible demolition of Bridge 256 on Old State Road 38; commissioners discussed funding strategies and federal-aid projects.
County road staff presented an updated long-range plan for bridges that identifies near-term repairs, federal-aid projects, and options including replacement or demolition of aging structures. The presentation came during the Sept. 24 meeting and prompted discussion about financing and project priorities.
Staff described a projection that adds $400,000 per year to the bridge fund to reach an accumulated cash total in excess of $2.8 million by 2031 against projected expenses near $10 million; that projection includes four federal-aid projects and local projects. The presentation listed Bridge 115, located on 400 South near the airport, as closed, and identified Bridge 256 on Old State Road 38 as a structure that may require replacement or demolition.
For Bridge 256, staff said demolition could cost approximately $200,000 and would require construction of turnarounds for motorists. The presenter noted weight limits and deteriorating condition and said some residents favored removing the bridge. Staff also discussed using deck repairs and overlays to extend lives of other bridges and cautioned that ratings and inspections for prestressed box-beam bridges have been lowered in recent years because of corrosion and cracking found during inspections.
Commissioners asked where funds would come from; staff said the plan relies on a mix of federal aid for eligible projects and local funding and emphasized the high cost of bridge replacement. No formal funding vote occurred; the presentation was informational, and staff advised continued planning and application for federal funds where eligible.
Next steps: staff will continue to prioritize projects, pursue federal aid where appropriate and return with detailed funding recommendations when specific projects are ready for programming.
