County engineer reports road and bridge work, FEMA projects closing; small-bridge funding discussed

During the Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 16, Butler County Engineer John Riherd briefed the supervisors on current secondary roads projects and funding status. Riherd said crews are working on T16 in Dumont and on two bridge projects along the Franklin County line near 300th Street and 320th Street, and that staff are closing out Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) projects.

Riherd also explained funding considerations for bridges 20 feet or less and said the county is exploring the use of railroad tank cars ‘‘where they can’’ for some small-bridge projects. The update did not include a formal motion or vote; it was reported as an informational staff update to the board.

The engineer’s report did not specify project schedules, contract awards, or exact funding amounts for the small-bridge work; those details were not stated in the Sept. 16 transcript. Supervisors did not take formal action during the update; they proceeded to other agenda items after the briefing.