The Trail Creek Bridge project, a bridge replacement on 9500 South between State Highway 33 and the old Jackson highway, is scheduled to start Aug. 13 under a contract awarded to Action Excavation, Public Works Director Daryl Johnson told the Board of County Commissioners on July 28.

Johnson said the replacement has long been sought; the bridge scored poorly for federal replacement lists but was placed on a local bridge program that provided full funding for design and construction. Construction will run for 86 working days; Johnson said the contractor will be encouraged to open the road when the structure is safe to allow local traffic, but paving is likely to occur next spring when temperatures permit.

The road will be closed during construction activity on the bridge and motorists should expect detours. Johnson said he will press the contractor to reopen the road after structural completion even if the finishing asphalt must wait until warmer weather.

Why it matters: The bridge replacement is fully funded and resolves a long-standing local infrastructure need; however, motorists and residents should expect access impacts through the fall and winter and a paving campaign next spring.

Ending: Public Works will notify residents of closures and detours before Aug. 13 and will report to the board if the contractor proposes a different schedule.