Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Engineering staff recommends bids for Hedge Lane guard‑fence replacement after repeated hits
Summary
County engineering staff presented plans and an engineer’s estimate of about $229,000 to replace and regrade guard fence at the bridge on Hedge Lane over the Meridazine River, saying the work requires crash‑worthy rail and substantial grading that exceeds in‑house capabilities.
Matthew Oler, Engineering Project Manager, asked the Board of County Commissioners to authorize soliciting bids to replace the guard fence and regrade the approaches at the Hedge Lane bridge over the Meridazine River.
Oler said the existing guard fence has been struck repeatedly and is now beyond repair; the most recent accident toppled the rail and the bridge‑end bolt pattern is no longer crash‑worthy. Because the approach elevations and slopes do not meet crash‑worthy standards and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices requires 10:1 slopes in the clear zone, the repair must include extensive grading and new bridge end treatments that make the work more of a grading and structural project than a simple rail replacement.
Oler gave an engineer’s estimate of approximately $229,000 for the full scope, with grading estimated at about $187,000 and the guardrail materials about $43,000. He told commissioners the grading exceeds current road‑crew capacity and recommended going to bid so contractors can price the work.
Commissioners and staff discussed causes (curves and elevation changes approaching the bridge, black‑ice and winter skid patterns), grant possibilities for high‑risk rural road safety work and whether fill material from county stockpiles could be reused (staff said contractor‑furnished, proof‑tested fill is standard and county yard material is unlikely to meet compaction/proctor requirements).
Ending: Commissioners instructed staff to proceed with bid documents and noted the project will require contractor grading and may be eligible for safety grant funding; no formal award or appropriation occurred during the study session.
