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Supervisors authorize mitigation upgrades to Hitchcock walking bridge railings while FEMA and insurance claims proceed
Summary
Officials approved a property-improvement payment to add galvanized steel reinforcement and new top rail across the full length of the Hitchcock walking bridge; insurance will cover most repair costs and FEMA mitigation may reimburse additional mitigation work but the county advanced funds so contractors could start.
County staff requested and the Board of Supervisors authorized immediate repairs and mitigation work on the walking bridge at Hitchcock (InterContinental Center) that was damaged during last year’s storms.
Mitch Kaye, chief financial officer, explained that storm damage previously declared a natural disaster led to an insurance claim and FEMA coordination; insurance will cover about $90,000 in repairs that bring the structure up to code and FEMA is expected to reimburse mitigation work and deductibles if it approves the mitigation scope. Kaye described the mitigation as adding a 2x6 top rail and a 3x3 galvanized steel angle installed underneath the existing railing to reduce future storm damage.
Kaye said the county sought to move forward now so the contractor can open the bridge to the public and perform the mitigation while on site. "The insurance is covering that...and then anything above and then the mitigation including any of our deductibles, FEMA is going to cover," Kaye said, but he cautioned FEMA reimbursement is not absolutely guaranteed.
Conservation Director Jeff Franco and risk-management staff supported the work as cost-effective mitigation that reduces future repair risk; the county accepted a low bid from a contractor (C2) and moved the funding from the Property Improvement Fund (Fund 19). Supervisors approved the funding motion by voice vote and directed staff to proceed with contracting and coordination with FEMA and the insurer.
Why it matters: the bridge has been closed since storm damage; mitigation will add protective steel reinforcement across both sides of the quarter-mile walkway to reduce future storm-related damage and expedite reopening.
Next steps: staff will finalize contractor scheduling, proceed with repairs and continue FEMA coordination to seek mitigation reimbursement.
