Vanport County commissioners on Sept. 2 agreed to reserve $1,122,000 in recently received flex funds for two major highway projects and approved several grant applications and scopes of work for county roads and bridges.

County engineer Nick West told the board the flex funds would be earmarked for the county’s obligations on Legal Drain 4 (estimated for construction in 2027) and the proposed US 2/County 5 airport intersection project; West recommended a budget amendment to move $1,122,000 into the highway account as a separate line item. The board approved the amendment.

West also outlined a package of transportation grant applications and project requests: submitting up to five county bridge replacements for state funding; applying for a grant to rehabilitate Manville Avenue (Old State 44) with a proposed 100% grant ask and county authority to make minor adjustments before final application; an 80/20 flex grant application for the north two miles of County Road 5 to raise low points and install box culverts to reduce flood closures; and a township minor-structures grant to replace very-poor culverts at 16 locations (estimated total cost $1.8 million; county share about $370,000 at an 80/20 match). The board approved the bridge applications, the Manville application and the County Road 5 and minor-structures applications.

On a separate project in Thompson, county staff presented cost-share options (an 80/20 county share estimated at $102,000 or a 50/50 share estimated at $255,000 depending on scope). The commission voted to table the Thompson decision to the Sept. 16 meeting so the board could learn the city’s position and review final cost estimates; applications are due Sept. 19.

Other actions and details:
- The county will ask the auditor to sign letters of understanding enabling townships to apply for flex fund dollars; those grants would be administered through the county if awarded.
- For Manville Avenue, the county will seek letters of support from the state and the city of Manville and requested authority to make minor scope/cost adjustments before submitting the final application.
- For County Road 5 (north two miles), West proposed an 80/20 split with a county share of $273,000 to reduce flood closures by raising road segments and installing two box culverts.

Why it matters: The flex fund allocation and grant applications are intended to keep key county roads and bridges functional, reduce repeated flood closures and direct state and federal grant dollars toward local infrastructure needs. Several projects target near-term construction windows and require county matching funds or commitments if awarded.

Staff will return with final grant applications, letters of support and any revised cost shares at the Sept. 16 meeting where required.