Public works presents annual bridge report: 100 structures tracked, two rated poor, several load restrictions

Public works staff briefed commissioners on the county's annual bridge report, required by state administrative code, and described the county's current inventory and inspection findings. Staff said the county now tracks about 100 structures: 59 spans exceed 20 feet and require federal reporting, while 41 are shorter spans managed at the state or county level. "Of our structures, we only have 2 that are poor, and that's Loboki Bridge and Chapman Cove," staff said; both are timber structures for which grant applications for replacement are pending. The briefing covered load ratings and postings: eight bridges are load-rate restricted (single-unit or heavier vehicles), and an additional six are posted to prevent overloads where plans do not exist. Staff also reported five structures considered scour-critical and about 26 structures with unknown foundations that must be monitored during large storm events. Staff described ongoing replacement and repair projects, noted use of county forces to perform work where feasible, and identified grant opportunities from a new state program to assist counties with bridge maintenance and replacement. Commissioners praised the road crews for proactive inspection and replacement work while noting the continuing inventory growth as older structures are added to the formal report. Staff said several timber superstructures will be replaced at Beeville in the next construction season and that the county will continue to submit grant applications for high-priority replacements.