County considers flex-fund bridge and culvert applications; staff asked to investigate possible removals

County staff reviewed five flex-fund applications for minor-structure bridges and culverts and explained the state’s preference for removing deficient bridges from the federal inventory. Staff said most individual projects are estimated at $400,000–$500,000 and that the county would be expected to provide a roughly 10 percent local match (about $40,000–$50,000) if a single project is selected. The state Department of Transportation also asked whether the county would consider funding removal (and not replacement) for four identified bridges; doing so would remove structures from the federally inspected inventory and lower future inspection obligations. Commissioners asked staff to inspect the candidate sites, consult townships and landowners and assess whether removal would leave acceptable access (for example, converting a site to a low-water crossing or ensuring alternate routes). Staff noted one structure (bridge 119-01) provides field access and may have alternative access from the other side; others in Primrose Township are large enough that replacing them with culverts would be unlikely. No formal removal decision was made. Staff were directed to investigate the four removal candidates, confirm replacement feasibility and return to the Commission at the next meeting; the DOT deadline to return ranked priorities and responses is Oct. 15.