Transportation staff: six grant requests total about $832,000; bridge replacement slated for 2027

County transportation staff reported to the Franklin County Commission that the Franklin County Transportation Committee received six grant requests totaling about $832,000 and that the county likely has roughly half that amount available to award.

"Yesterday, we received all of our grant requests for the Franklin County Transportation Committee. We received six requests. They totaled approximately a request for $832,000," said Jim, transportation staff, who said he would spend the next few days scoring the applications and provide recommendations to the commission.

Jim said most requests are for road resurfacing and repairs; one request included reimbursement for a portion of handicap sidewalk installation. He identified applicants as Washington or the Washington Special Road District, the city of Gerald, the city of New Haven, the city of Saint Clair and the city of Union. Jim said the village of Leslie did not submit a request and does not participate in the transportation committee. He explained the committee can provide up to 50% of a project's requested amount, so applicants must identify matching funds.

On a separate infrastructure question, Jim said a local bridge is slated for replacement in 2027. "2027," he said when asked about timing. He said a 2019 preliminary estimate for an equivalent replacement was about $2,400,000 and that, based on recent pricing trends, it would likely cost about 25% more in today's dollars.

Jim told commissioners he will complete scoring and return with detailed test results and recommendations next week. The report was informational; no formal grant awards were made at the meeting.